RACING: Punters hoping to unravel a Classic clue or two in arguably the most important 2,000 Guineas trial left Newmarket in the dark yesterday after 12 to 1 chance Democratic Deficit scrambled home in the bet365 Craven Stakes.

In an unsatisfactory contest, the winner came down the outside to get the best of a bunch finish, beating Rob Roy by a head with third-home Kandidate and fourth Iceman inches behind.

Outsider Kandidate made most of the running on the stands rail with Forward Move, and when the pair quickened things up two furlongs out it looked as if the head of affairs was the place to be.

As the other runners attempted to get a clear run in the Group Three contest, Kevin Manning moved smartly from last place around the outside to hit the front with half a furlong to run.

Rob Roy was among the worst sufferers in the traffic trouble, but probably the most eye-catching run came from Iceman.

He was fourth past the post having had all but no room throughout the final furlong, but in front three strides after the line as the gap came all too late.

Favourite Etlaala was a major disappointment and finished last.

Predictably, bookmakers saw nothing in the race that stood out as an obvious winner of the Classic on April 30th and took the opportunity to trim the odds of favourite Dubawi.

Democratic Deficit is best-priced with William Hill at 25 to 1, and Hills are also long about Iceman at 10 to 1, although Cashmans offer 12 to 1 (having initially laid a £2,000 bet at 16s when briefly quoting that price immediately after the race).

Rob Roy emerged as clear second-favourite for the Guineas and the colt's followers can head to totesport for the 9 to 1 they offer.

Winning trainer Jim Bolger was not present, but Democratic Deficit's jockey, Kevin Manning said: "There wasn't much pace on and he was fresh and a bit free early on, as he hadn't run for a while.

"He quickened well from a slow pace and came with a sweep down the outside and missed all the trouble.

"He was getting a bit tired coming out of the dip, but this is his first run of the season and we expected him to need this.

"I don't know whether the boss will want to come back here and go for the Irish Guineas, but he has got pace and he stays and he will run a big race whichever race he goes for."

Not everyone was in agreement that Manning had avoided the trouble and, when he hung left throughout the final furlong, it could be argued he caused some of the melee.

But the stewards held an inquiry into the race and allowed the placings to remain unaltered.

Perhaps even more fortunate to escape punishment was Jimmy Fortune on Iceman, who used his whip after the line.