Oxagon entered the 2000 Guineas picture with a front‑running triumph in the Betway Craven Stakes, a performance that could shape John Gosden’s campaign for the season’s first Classic. The race, held on a drying track, saw several high‑profile contenders such as Futurity Trophy winner Hawk Mountain and the promising Hankelow scratch, leaving dual Kempton winner Hidden Force as the 11‑10 favourite and a key piece of Charlie Appleby’s early‑season strategy.
Oxagon, who had not been seen since finishing last of five behind Hawk Mountain in a testing Doncaster run in October, was offered at 7‑4 for his seasonal debut. The colt wore cheekpieces for the first time, a modest piece of equipment that appeared to sharpen his focus. Under a composed ride from Oisin Murphy, Oxagon settled near the pace before taking charge and pulling clear to win by two lengths, confirming his class and the effectiveness of the new tack. Gosden, who trains the horse alongside his son Thady, reflected on the colt’s progress: “After his win at Sandown last year we had a very high opinion of him, but we may have let the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster get away from us.
I think we’ll see the winner of the Puerto Rico back here in two weeks.” He admitted that Oxagon had been a little disappointing in the Dewhurst, noting that the colt seemed to lose steam after being among the last to leave the starting stalls. The trainer also explained the decision to pull the horse from the heavy ground at Doncaster’s Futurity Trophy, saying the jockey wisely eased him after two furlongs to preserve his confidence. “The cheekpieces have simply focused his mind,” Gosden added. “We tried them in a piece of work and liked the way he responded, so we kept them on for the Craven.” The Craven Stakes win marked Gosden’s second victory in the race, the first coming a year earlier with Field Of Gold.
Yet the Clarehaven stable still seeks its inaugural 1000 Guineas success. Bookmakers responded to Oxagon’s performance by shortening his odds from 50‑1 to 25‑1, and the trainer expressed optimism: “Another Craven – we’re quite good at winning those. Oisin feels the Guineas is wide open, so we’ll give it a go. It doesn’t bother me that I’ve never won it; everyone thinks I lose sleep over it, but it would be wonderful to have a runner, so let’s enjoy the day and hope the horse is in great order.” Across the meeting, other noteworthy stories unfolded.
Dual Doncaster winner Avicenna finished second to Hidden Force, prompting trainer Roger Varian to voice his own Guineas ambitions, whether at Newmarket or in France. Varian praised the race’s pace and the quality of the winner, while also emphasizing that his own horse gained valuable experience and could be aimed at either the English or French Classics. Veteran sprinter Run To Freedom, trained by Henry Candy, produced a surprise victory in the Zyn Abernant Stakes at Newmarket. The eight‑year‑old, who had not won at Group level for nearly three years, was given a fresh lease of life after a spell in the swimming pool and a careful management program.
Candy explained that the horse’s recent work, including pool sessions and soft gallops, helped him finish strongly, “stretching on the rising ground” to win by three‑quarters of a length. He also hinted that the colt could return to Pattern company rather than remain in handicaps, noting the horse’s pedigree and latent ability. In another highlight, Portcullis, a son of Frankel out of the 2019 French 1000 Guineas winner Castle Lady, delivered a spectacular debut in the Betway Wood Ditton Maiden. Bred by the King and ridden by Ryan Moore, the three‑year‑old stumbled out of the gate but soon found his rhythm, taking the lead a furlong from the finish and pulling away to win by five and a half lengths at 7‑1.
Gosden praised the colt’s composure, saying, “He was a little lost leaving the gate, but he picked up and travelled well. Ryan said he found a nice rhythm and left him alone, so there goes the handicap mark!” The trainer cautioned against getting ahead of themselves, urging a measured approach to the colt’s development.
John Warren, the racing manager for the King and Queen, expressed his excitement about Portcullis, noting that the colt was part of a mating plan the late Queen Elizabeth II had approved before her death. Warren recounted how the plan was finalised with the Queen and later presented to the King and Queen Consort, describing the colt’s debut as “a first rung on an exciting ladder.” Overall, the Craven meeting delivered a mix of established talent and emerging prospects, with Oxagon’s front‑running win providing a compelling narrative for Gosden’s Guineas hopes.
As the season progresses, the performances at Newbury and Newmarket will likely shape the field for the 2000 Guineas, the 1000 Guineas, and the other Classic races, offering fans and punters plenty to discuss and anticipate.