ROGER CHARLTON is wasting no time bringing out one of last season's juveniles, Three Valleys (2.20), for this afternoon's Group 3 Craven Stakes.

Traditionally regarded as a solid 2,000 Guineas trial, Three Valleys is best-priced at 6-1 for the forthcoming colts' Classic, a good indication that Charlton's charge is expected to play a leading role in today's one-mile Newmarket test.

Jockey Richard Hughes has never stopped raving about Three Valleys and the Irishman's lofty opinion was fully justified when the pair romped away with the 2003 Group 1 Middle Park Stakes.

Three Valleys is reportedly flying at home, so taking him on at this stage of the season might not prove profitable, especially as the vibes from Charlton's Beckhampton stable suggest their contender is 100 percent ready for action.

In the preceding Abernant Stakes, The Kiddykid (1.45) is worthy of support even though according to the BHB ratings he has a bit to find with Arakan.

The Kiddykid is a real giant of a thoroughbred, just the type to fill out his rakish frame and make significant physical improvement with age. That was certainly the impression he gave on his return at Doncaster, where despite looking in need of the outing, he was only narrowly touched off.

The Listed Silver Bowl Fillies' Stakes forms the centrepiece of Ripon's inaugural meeting for 2004.

Pick of the home team appears to be Tim Easterby's Birthday Girl, however I prefer the southern raider, Petite Rose (3.20), so impressive when scoring on her belated debut at Folkestone last week.

John Gosden's filly destroyed the opposition at the Kent course, pulling four lengths clear of the runner-up, Warden Complex, who represents a reliable yardstick judged on all previous public form.

In the Cock Of The North Handicap, ten-to-follow pick, Granston (3.55), gets the nod after a promising comeback at Doncaster.

There is a school of thought that Granston was beaten before he even entered the stalls at Donny since he was drawn in one of the far side "coffin boxes", where the ground was riding slow.

In the event he did well to "win" the race in his bunch, although that wasn't sufficient to overhaul a couple on the favoured stands' rail, Free Trip and Mount Vettore.

Both of the last two-mentioned remain highly rated, so provided Granston has progressed there seems no reason why the James Bethell-trained grey gelding will not give us a good run for our money.

* Kalaman failed to restore his reputation when nailed by Gateman on the second day of the Craven meeting at Newmarket today.

The much-hyped Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt was sent off a warm order for the Weatherbys Earl Of Sefton Stakes, but did not find what was expected when push came to shove.

Kieren Fallon had the four-year-old covered up in the early stages of the nine-furlong contest and the pair made smooth headway to challenge the front-running Gateman at the two-pole.

But despite briefly taking up the running inside the final furlong, the 4-5 favourite found Gateman too strong as Mark Johnston's charge rallied on the far side to score by a length.