Oxagon made a strong case for the 2000 Guineas with a convincing front-running win in the Betway Craven Stakes. The favourite, Hidden Force, was beaten into third place, with Avicenna taking the runner-up spot.
Trained by John Gosden in partnership with his son Thady, Oxagon benefited from a controlling ride by Oisin Murphy to secure a two-length victory. Gosden expressed his delight with the win, stating that Oxagon has always had a high opinion of him and that the addition of cheekpieces has focused his mind. The win marked Gosden's second Craven Stakes victory in as many years, following Field Of Gold's success last year.
Bookmakers subsequently cut Oxagon's odds to 25-1 from 50-1 for the Guineas, and connections are considering a run in the Classic. Elsewhere, veteran sprinter Run To Freedom rolled back the years with a surprise victory in the Zyn Abernant Stakes at Newmarket, while Portcullis made a spectacular debut with a five-and-a-half length win in the Betway Wood Ditton Maiden.