Racing:Delegator thrust himself to the head of the betting alongside Aidan O'Brien's Mastercraftsman for the stanjames.com 2000 Guineas when blitzing his rivals in the banshahousestables.com Craven Stakes at Newmarket.
Brian Meehan may be chasing his first Classic success but the Manton trainer has the bookies running scared ahead of the colts' event in just over two weeks' time.
Delegator was widely available at 33-1 early last week until a scorching piece of work saw his price tumble down to single figures.
And after he charged from last to first in the course-and-distance trial, he was promoted to 9-2 joint-favourite.
He also tops the market with Coral as their 4-1 joint-best, while Sky Bet and Victor Chandler quote him as the outright favourite at 3-1 and 7-2 respectively.
Ladbrokes were slightly less impressed and go 5-1 after their initial quote of 6s proved too popular. Cashmans went 6-1 immediately after the race but were soon forced to go 9-2.
"It is a relief as if you go out there as odds-on favourite in the Craven and don't win then you are in trouble," said Meehan."It has been good to get him back out. It was only his fourth run so he is all set now.
"It was always important to get this run into him as he did need more experience here."
Jamie Spencer exuded ultimate confidence aboard the 4-6 favourite, who made rapid headway inside the final furlong and breezed past the judge with a near three lengths in hand.
Meehan, who earlier ruled Racing Post Trophy winner Crowded House out of the Guineas in favour of a Derby trial en route to Epsom, continued: "He is a horse who you wouldn't to hit the front too soon but Jamie wanted to get him moving down the hill to learn a bit more.
"Both he and Crowded House have been very exciting since they were two-year-olds.
"I really have no concern about taking on the good horses in the Guineas, and I have never had a concern.
"I have got to have confidence in my horse. He has never shown me anything not to have confidence in him, and you have to go into those races confident."
Spencer came close to a first Guineas success when Hawk Wing was narrowly denied by Rock Of Gibraltar seven years ago, and the former Ballydoyle stable jockey is relishing teaming up with Delegator on May 2.
"The pace was slow but it was all about teaching him, and he did pick up well," said Spencer.
"I was shell-shocked when he got beat in the Dewhurst as I thought nothing could beat him but inexperience caught him out.
"I was very pleased with the way he handled the dip and he's handled the fast ground.
"When he hits the front he pulls himself up but if he had another horse to chase he would have scooted clear of those.
"It's a dress rehearsal for back here in two weeks and today is not what mattered. Two weeks' time is what matters."
San Frontieres took the runner-up honours, and overcame his inexperience to go under by two and three-quarter lengths.
Trainer Jeremy Noseda said: "For an inexperienced horse that was a good, solid, second start of his life.
"We may move up a little in trip to a mile and a quarter but we will look at all options. It's doubtful that he would go for the Guineas, but he has come on and we'll take him home and go from there."
Pure Poetry ran a blinder turned out just five days after landing the Easter Stakes at Kempton to be beaten a further three-quarters of a length into third.
Trainer Richard Hannon said: "Things could have gone a little bit better - he had to race out on his own.
"But he has run very well and we will give him a little break as there is nothing in the next two or three weeks for him."