Xaar should confirm his status as strong favourite for next month's Sagitta 2,000 Guineas by winning the £35,000 City Index Craven Stakes at Newmarket today.

Andre Fabre's colt was the top-rated juvenile in last year's International Classifications and earned that status with some impressive displays.

He firmly put his only defeat, at Deauville in August, behind him when reversing placings with Charge d'Affaires in the Prix de la Salamandre at Longchamp, winning by three lengths.

But it was his sole British foray that stamped Xaar as something special.

Sent off favourite for the Group One Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, he never gave his supporters a moment's worry, storming clear to beat the promising Tamarisk by seven lengths.

Xaar will be a prohibitive price today but all eyes will be on him as rival connections - and punters - will want to decide whether to take him on in next month's Classic or admit defeat now.

The £17,000-added Feilden Stakes is a typically tricky contest involving promising three-year-olds and an each-way wager is recommended on Pegnitz.

Clive Brittain's colt came up against the smart Mudeer - subsequently just beaten in the Racing Post Trophy - on his Ascot debut and was subsequently not disgraced when set a hard task in the Dewhurst Stakes, finishing fifth of seven to Xaar, with Daggers Drawn and Central Park behind him.

Little Brave, who stuck on well to turn over hot favourite Ego Night in a Southwell maiden last month, could provide a spot of value in the Swaffham Handicap but overall the card looks very trappy for punters.

Meanwhile, Desert Prince, twice beaten by Xaar last year, is on target for a third crack at the champion after landing the NGK Spark Plugs European Free Handicap in the wet at Newmarket yesterday.

Two lengths behind the 2,000 Guineas favourite in the Prix Morny and 10 lengths adrift in the Dewhurst, he earned a re-match with a length-and-a-quarter defeat of Trans Island.

Xaar launches his bid for the first colts' Classic in today's Craven Stakes, a race trainer David Loder will watch with particular interest before confirming his Guineas hand.

For also in the reckoning is the unbeaten Daring Derek, easy winner of the Boadicea Conditions Stakes at the track on Tuesday.

"I'd be hard-pushed to say which is better," he said. "I want to see what happens in the Craven but there is a fairly good chance that Desert Prince will run at Newmarket.

"They are entered in every Guineas but one will probably run in the Italian Guineas a week on Sunday. Desert Prince is more likely to get the fast pace he needs at Newmarket.

"His work has always been of the highest class and I've always thought he was a good horse but things never worked out last year. He's not a difficult ride but you either have to make the running with him or drop him in."

Olivier Peslier did the latter as he anchored Desert Prince off the early pace set by Tracking.

He began his run two furlongs out and hit the front at the furlong-pole to score by a length and a quarter.

Trans Island, whose bit had slipped through his mouth, chased him hard as the pair pulled four lengths clear of 11-4 favourite Greenlander and Arkadian Hero.

Desert Prince is now a best-priced 25 to 1 for the 2,000 Guineas with William Hill and he is quoted as short as 14 to 1 by Coral and 16 to 1 by Ladbrokes and the Tote.

Trans Island is a 33 to 1 chance but trainer Ian Balding, who took this race last year with Hidden Meadow, is not ready to commit himself.