Native Khan secures Craven Stakes victory

Fallon had to work Native Khan hard late on in the race

The impressive Native Khan put down a marker for the 2,000 Guineas with victory in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket.

The colt, trained by Ed Dunlop and ridden by Kieren Fallon, went off at 8-11 but raced keenly in the early stages behind pace-setter Libranno.

But Fallon took the horse down the centre of the track and grabbed the lead a furlong and a half out.

Although he idled close to home, he still beat Libranno by two lengths.

Coral left him unchanged at 16-1 but Victor Chandler cut him to 10-1 from 16s for the first Classic of the season at the same track on Saturday 30 April.

Trainer Dunlop said: "I'm very pleased. It was an afterthought to come here as he came to hand quicker than I thought, but I'm very pleased we did.

"I want to run him in a Guineas, but we'll have to see whether it is the French one or here.

"He is French-bred but I certainly wouldn't rule out coming here.

"He could be one for the French Derby but he won't run anywhere if it is soft."