Oxagon entered the 2000 Guineas picture with a decisive front‑running win in the Betway Craven Stakes, signalling that the Charlie Appleby‑trained colt could be a serious contender for the season’s first Classic. The race was missing two high‑profile hopefuls – Futurity Trophy winner Hawk Mountain and the promising Hankelow – both withdrawn because of the drying ground. In their absence, dual Kempton winner Hidden Force went off as the 11‑10 favourite, adding weight to Appleby’s early‑season ambitions. Oxagon, who had not been seen since finishing last of five behind Hawk Mountain in a testing Doncaster trial in October, was offered at 7‑4 for his seasonal debut.
The colt was fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, a piece of equipment that appeared to sharpen his focus. Guided expertly by Oisin Murphy, Oxagon settled just behind the pace before taking command and pulling away to win by two lengths, a comfortable margin that underscored his improvement. John Gosden, who trains the horse in partnership with his son Thady, praised the performance. “After his win at Sandown last year we had a high opinion of him, but we may have let the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster slip away,” Gosden said.
“We’ll probably see the winner of the Puerto Rico back here in two weeks’ time. He was a little disappointing in the Dewhurst, finishing near the back after being the last off the bridle, and we ran him on heavy ground at Doncaster in the Futurity – the jockey wisely pulled him up after two furlongs to spare him.
The cheekpieces have clearly focused his mind; we tried them in a piece of work and liked the result.” The win marked Gosden’s second Craven triumph, the first having come with Field Of Gold a year earlier. Yet the Clarehaven stable still seeks its maiden 1000 Guineas victory. Bookmakers trimmed Oxagon’s odds from 50‑1 to 25‑1, and the trainer remained upbeat: “Another Craven for us – we’re quite good at winning that! Oisin feels the Guineas will be open, and we’re not worried that I’ve never won it.
Everyone thinks I lose sleep over it, but I’d love to have a runner in the race. The horse that won last year had a phenomenal turn of foot; this is a nice horse, deserving of a chance, even if the last year’s race seemed a bit more black‑and‑white.” Across the field, dual Doncaster winner Avicenna finished second, beating fellow Godolphin‑owned Hidden Force. Trainer Roger Varian also harboured Guineas hopes for his colt, whether at Newmarket or in France. Varian commented, “The track was firm and favoured pace, making it hard to make up ground when the race slowed.
The winner had experience and probably dictated the race, but I was pleased our horse got valuable schooling today. I told Ray Dawson that a front‑running style might suit, but our colt isn’t streetwise enough yet to lead the pack. This is a trial, not a season‑ender. He’s wintered well, trained nicely, and could be aimed at Newmarket or Longchamp.
It looks like an open year for the Guineas, and he could be in contention for either.” Veteran sprinter Run To Freedom also turned heads with an unexpected triumph in the Zyn Abernant Stakes at Newmarket. After a long spell, the eight‑year‑old, trained by Henry Candy, returned to Group Three level and delivered a tidy three‑quarter‑length win under Rob Hornby. Candy, who had not run a starter this year until the race, explained, “He’s been working nicely in the swimming pool and on the grass.
He got a little upset in the stalls, as he always does, but once the race began he travelled beautifully and stretched on the rising ground. He needs an uphill finish – his autumn run at Haydock was on a flat track and he never got going.
It wasn’t the greatest Abernant ever, but I thought he had a good chance.” Run To Freedom now holds a handicap entry for the upcoming Guineas meeting, but his connections hope to keep him at Pattern level after shedding two sub‑par efforts at the end of last season. “He was a bit disappointing in his last two runs, but he’s a gorgeous horse with huge ability and a fantastic pedigree,” Candy added. “Nobody has wanted him for stud yet, but he deserves a job.
After winter we thought we’d drop back to handicaps, but perhaps it’s time to revert to Plan A.” In another highlight, Portcullis – a son of Frankel whose dam Castle Lady won the French 1000 Guineas in 2019 – dazzled in the Betway Wood Ditton Maiden, a one‑mile race for unraced three‑year‑olds. Bred by the King and owned by John and Thady Gosden, the colt appeared unsettled at the start but soon found his rhythm, surged forward at the halfway point and drew away to win by five and a half lengths at 7‑1, ridden by Ryan Moore. Gosden noted, “He was a little lost leaving the gate, but once he settled he travelled well.
Ryan found a nice rhythm and left him alone – the handicap mark is coming up! It’s a pleasing start; Ryan was thrilled, albeit a bit embarrassed by the margin.” The trainer cautioned against getting ahead of themselves, saying, “We’ll keep his feet on the ground and probably aim for a novice race next. A small step before a big step.” The King and Queen’s racing manager, John Warren, expressed his enthusiasm for the colt, recalling that the mating plan for Portcullis was one of the last approved by the late Queen Elizabeth II before her passing in 2022. “I was with the Queen the weekend before she died and proposed the matings to her,” Warren said.
“The skeleton of the plan was hatched with her, then I took it to the King and Queen Camilla in November to get their approval. It’s a joint effort, and I’m thrilled for the royal couple – they’re getting more pleasure from their horses than anyone expected.” Overall, the Craven meeting delivered a mixture of proven talent and emerging promise. Oxagon’s front‑running display, Run To Freedom’s resurgence, and Portcullis’s dominant maiden win all point to an exciting early season, with several connections eyeing the 2000 Guineas and other Classic races as the next big targets.