King Of Happiness ready for Craven

RACING/News round-up: Michael Stoute's once-raced King Of Happiness is rated a "possible" to make his seasonal reappearance in the Macau Jockey Club Craven Stakes at Newmarket tomorrow week.

The son of Spinning World could then bid to give the Freemason Lodge handler a third consecutive success in the Sagitta 2,000 Guineas, following on from King's Best two years ago and Golan last season.

His sole outing came in a hot maiden at Doncaster in August when he accounted for the well-regarded Mount Joy, who was subsequently purchased by Godolphin, by one and a quarter lengths.

Joe Mercer, racing manager to owner Saeed Suhail, who was also responsible for King's Best, said yesterday: "I spoke to Sir Michael last week. Things seem to be going very nicely with him and it's possible he might run in the Craven.

"No decision has been made yet but it is a possibility.

"He's a very nice horse, a very nice colt. Everybody is happy with him at the moment and I should think he would do a bit tomorrow. We'll see how he comes out of that and we should know more." King Of Happiness is a 16 to 1 chance for the Newmarket Classic on May 4th.

Another 2,000 Guineas hope, Compton Dragon, may be among the opposition to King Of Happiness next week.

The Gerard Butler-trained three-year-old has turned in two very impressive runs on the all-weather at Lingfield this winter, the last of which was when taking the Littlewoods Bet Direct Dubai Trial Conditions Stakes over a mile.

Compton Dragon, a son of Woodman, is related to a number of good performers and has always been highly regarded by his trainer.

His only run to date on turf was at Newmarket last year when he finished second to Studio Time in the seven-furlong Newmarket Challenge Cup.

Compton Dragon could run in the Craven but connections are also considering the Lane's End Greenham Stakes at Newbury on April 20th.

Butler is thrilled with the way his charge is progressing and he is looking forward to seeing how he rates against fellow Classic contenders.

Rapscallion will go straight to the Newmarket Classic without a prep run, his trainer James Eustace said yesterday. ...

The tough Robellino colt enjoyed a fruitful campaign last season, when he rattled up four successive victories, including the Horris Hill Stakes over seven furlongs at Newbury in October.