Oxagon entered the 2000 Guineas picture with a front‑running win in the Betway Craven Stakes, a performance that has instantly elevated his profile and given trainer John Gosden a fresh contender for the season's first Classic. The race, run on a drying track, saw several high‑profile youngsters such as Futurity Trophy winner Hawk Mountain and the promising Hankelow withdrawn, leaving dual Kempton winner Hidden Force as the 11‑10 favourite and the most likely horse to strengthen Charlie Appleby’s early‑season challenge. Despite not having raced since a disappointing last‑place finish behind Hawk Mountain at Doncaster in October – a run that took place on testing, heavy ground – Oxagon arrived as a 7‑4 shot for his seasonal debut.
The colt was equipped with cheekpieces for the first time, a piece of equipment that appeared to sharpen his focus. Guided expertly by Oisin Murphy, Oxagon settled into a leading position early and, once the pace settled, extended his advantage to win comfortably by two lengths. John Gosden, who trains the horse in partnership with his son Thady, reflected on the performance: "After his win at Sandown last year we always had a high opinion of him, but we may have let the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster get away from us. We expect to see the winner of the Puerto Rico race back here in two weeks." He added that the colt had been a little underwhelming in the Dewhurst, noting, "He was one of the last off the bridle and never seemed to finish strongly up the hill." Gosden also admitted that running Oxagon on heavy ground in the Futurity was a mistake, but praised Murphy for pulling the horse up after two furlongs, allowing him to enjoy a day out rather than be forced to race on unsuitable footing.
The trainer emphasized the impact of the cheekpieces, saying, "They were introduced during a piece of work and we liked the way he responded. They seem to focus his mind and keep him on the job at hand." He described Oxagon as a relaxed, dreamy horse at home, often watching low‑flying seagulls, a temperament that translates into a calm yet determined racing style. While Gosden celebrated his second Craven win – his first coming with the brilliant Field Of Gold a year earlier – the Clarehaven stable is still chasing a maiden Guineas triumph. Bookmakers have responded to Oxagon's performance by halving his odds from 50‑1 to 25‑1, and the connections are happy to take the gamble.
"Another Craven, we’re quite good at winning that," Gosden said, adding that Murphy believes the Guineas will be open and that the lack of a personal Guineas win does not keep him awake at night. "Everyone thinks I have sleepless nights about it, but it would be great to have a runner, so let’s enjoy the day and hope the horse is in great order," he continued. Gosden also compared Oxagon to the previous year’s Craven winner, noting the latter’s phenomenal turn of foot.
"This is a nice horse, don’t get me wrong. He deserves a chance in the Guineas, but last year it was a little more black and white," he said. Across the paddock, other trainers voiced their own Guineas ambitions.
Dual Doncaster winner Avicenna, trained by Roger Varian, finished second to Hidden Force. Varian praised the race’s pace, saying the firm ground favoured front‑runners and that the early stages were a little messy, but the winner showed experience and deserved the win. He also hinted that Avicenna could be aimed at Newmarket or even the French Guineas at Longchamp, describing the year as "open" across all Classic contests.
Veteran sprinter Run To Freedom delivered a surprise victory in the Zyn Abernant Stakes at Newmarket. Trainer Henry Candy, who had not seen a win from the eight‑year‑old for three years, explained that the horse had been given extensive work in a swimming pool and on grass, which helped preserve his legs. Candy noted that Run To Freedom had been upset in the stalls, but once the race began he travelled beautifully, stretched on the rising ground, and finished strongly.
The win, achieved at 28‑1, earned the horse a handicap entry for next month’s Guineas meeting, though Candy expects the colt to remain at Pattern level after recent performances. In another highlight, Portcullis – a son of Frankel whose dam Castle Lady won the French 1000 Guineas in 2019 – made a spectacular debut in the Betway Wood Ditton Maiden, a one‑mile race for unraced three‑year‑olds.
Ridden by Ryan Moore, the colt appeared unsettled at the start but quickly found his rhythm, surged forward at the halfway point, and won by an emphatic five and a half lengths at 7‑1. John Gosden described the run as "a little lost leaving the gate, but he picked up and travelled well," adding that the horse’s performance was "dreamy" and that they would now keep expectations grounded while giving the colt a chance to learn in novice company.
The colt’s royal connections add a further layer of intrigue. Portcullis was part of the final mating plans approved by the late Queen Elizabeth II before her death in 2022. Racing manager John Warren recounted how the plan was discussed with the Queen just before she passed, then presented to King Charles and Queen Camilla for final approval. Warren expressed his excitement, saying the horse’s physical attributes and pedigree make him a promising prospect, but cautioned that more runs are needed to fully assess his potential.
Overall, the Craven meeting delivered a blend of surprise victories, strategic equipment changes, and renewed Classic aspirations. Oxagon’s front‑running win, bolstered by cheekpieces and a confident ride from Oisin Murphy, has placed him firmly on the radar for the 2000 Guineas. Meanwhile, trainers like Roger Varian and Henry Candy have highlighted other horses that could emerge as serious contenders in the coming months. With the Guineas season looming, the racing world will be watching closely to see which of these newly invigorated performers can translate early‑season form into Classic success.