Oxagon has thrown his hat into the ring for the 2000 Guineas with a commanding front-running victory in the Betway Craven Stakes. The dual Kempton winner Hidden Force was the 11-10 favourite, but Oxagon, wearing first-time cheekpieces, benefited from a controlling ride by Oisin Murphy to win comfortably by two lengths. Trainer John Gosden said, 'We had a high opinion of him after he won at Sandown last year, and we probably let the race get away at Doncaster. He's trained well, and the addition of cheekpieces has focused his mind.' Bookmakers have cut Oxagon's odds to 25-1 from 50-1 for the Guineas, and connections are happy to take a chance.
Meanwhile, Avicenna beat Hidden Force to the runner-up spot, and trainer Roger Varian has Guineas ambitions, whether in the UK or France. In other news, veteran sprinter Run To Freedom proved he's still a force to be reckoned with by winning the Zyn Abernant Stakes at Newmarket, and Portcullis carried the colours of the King and Queen to a spectacular debut success in the Betway Wood Ditton Maiden.