THE new flat season steps up a gear next week when Newmarket stages the Craven meeting which has been restored to a three-day affair.

Foundation is the standout name among the entries for next Thursday’s Craven Stakes, widely regarded as the leading early-season trial for the 2000 Guineas. The John Gosden-trained colt met trouble in running when third in the Racing Post Trophy last season.

There are three Irish entries - Jim Bolger’s Smash WIlliams and, from Aidan O’Brien, Shogun and Johannes Vermeer (due to run at Leopardstown tomorrow).

Group 3 winner Coolmore is the sole O’Brien entry for the Nell Gwyn, a race which also attracted the Joe Murphy-trained listed winner Only Mine. Richard Hannon’s Illuminate appears to be the best of the home team. She won twice at group level last season and finished second to Lumiere in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes.

The other stakes race on Tuesday’s card is the Listed Feilden Stakes, which has been won by future champions twice in the past three years – by Golden Horn in 2015 and Intello in 2013. André Fabre, trainer of Intello, has the Godolphin-owned Floodlight among its 21 entries this time around while John Gosden, Golden Horn’s handler, has entered both Von Blucher and Tathqeef.

Arod is likely to attempt to improve upon his second place of 12 months ago in the Group 3 Weatherbys General Stud Book Earl Of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket on Wednesday. Trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam said: “I am very happy with Arod. I have given him plenty of time off turned out in a field since he got back from Australia. He’s a horse that takes some getting fit, but I think I’ve got him a bit fitter this time than last year, although a run will put him right for his next intended run in the Lockinge Stakes.”

Also on Wednesday, the Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Sprint includes Hugo Palmer’s Gifted Master, last seen landing the Group 3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket, and two Irish raiders, Waterloo Bridge, successful in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes last June, and Most Beautiful, who landed the Group 3 Grangecon Stud at the Curragh that same month.

The going on the Rowley Mile remains ‘good’ with showers forecast over the next few days.

MAJOR ROLE

As usual Irish vendors will play a major role in next week’s Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale. Up to 140 two-year-olds will breeze at Newmarket Racecourse on Monday morning. The sale takes place after racing on Tuesday and Wednesday. Last year’s sale was topped by a War Front colt consigned by Willie Browne’s Mocklershill Stable. Bought for 850,000gns he went to Ballydoyle but has yet to race.