Oxagon entered the 2000 Guineas preparations with a dominant front‑running win in the Betway Craven Stakes, signalling his readiness for the season's first Classic. The race was missing two high‑profile contenders – Futurity Trophy winner Hawk Mountain and the promising Hankelow – both withdrawn because of the drying ground. In their absence, dual Kempton victor Hidden Force started as the 11‑10 favourite, bolstering Charlie Appleby’s hopes of a strong showing in the opening Classic.
Oxagon, who had not been seen since a fifth‑place finish behind Hawk Mountain in testing October conditions at Doncaster, was offered at 7‑4 for his seasonal debut. The colt wore cheekpieces for the first time, and under a controlled ride from Oisin Murphy he eased clear, winning by two lengths. John Gosden, who trains the winner alongside his son Thady, reflected on the colt's progress: “After his Sandown win last year we had a high opinion of him, but we probably let the race get away from us at Doncaster in the Champagne Stakes.
We’ll likely see the winner of the Puerto Rico back here in two weeks.’’ He added that the horse had been a little disappointing in the Dewhurst, noting that “he seemed to lose steam up the hill after being one of the last off the bridle.” Gosden admitted that running Oxagon on heavy ground in the Futurity was a mistake, but praised Murphy for pulling the horse up after two furlongs and allowing him to enjoy the day. The trainer emphasized the impact of the new cheekpieces, saying they “focused his mind” after a work session showed a marked improvement in concentration. While Gosden celebrated his second Craven win – his first coming with Field Of Gold a year earlier – the veteran trainer still chases his first 2000 Guineas victory. Bookmakers trimmed Oxagon’s odds from 50‑1 to 25‑1, and the connections remain optimistic.
“Another Craven, we’re quite good at winning that,” Gosden said. “Oisin feels it’s an open Guineas and we should go for it.
It doesn’t worry me that I’ve never won it; everyone thinks I lose sleep over it, but I’d love to have a runner, so let’s enjoy the day and hope the horse stays in great form.” Gosden also praised the previous year’s winner, noting “the horse had a phenomenal turn of foot. This is a nice horse, don’t get me wrong. He deserves his chance in the Guineas, but last year it was a bit more black and white.” Dual Doncaster winner Avicenna, who finished second to the Godolphin‑owned Hidden Force, also has Guineas ambitions.
Trainer Roger Varian spoke about the race’s pace, describing the ground as “hard to make up on when it rides quick and favours pace, especially when they don’t go very quick.” He praised the winner’s experience and said his own horse needed more education before tackling a front‑running role. Varian added that his colt had “wintered well, trained well over the last few weeks and there will be some improvement,” and that he is now considering Newmarket or Longchamp for the next step.
“It looks an open year across all the Guineas,” he said, “and he looks worthy of being in contention for one or the other.” Veteran sprinter Run To Freedom surprised many by taking the Zyn Abernant Stakes at Newmarket. Trainer Henry Candy, who had not tasted success with the horse for almost three years, noted that the eight‑year‑old had been working hard in a swimming pool and on the grass.
After a disappointing run in the Sprint Cup at Haydock and a lackluster performance on Champions Day at Ascot, the colt dropped back to Group Three level and delivered a “cosily” three‑quarter‑length win under Rob Hornby. Candy said, “He got a little upset in the stalls as he always does, but he travelled beautifully and really stretched when he hit the rising ground.
He needs an uphill finish – one of his autumn efforts last year was at Haydock, a very flat track, and he never gets going.” He admitted the Abernant was not the “greatest” ever, but felt the horse had a good chance. Candy also highlighted the horse’s soundness and pedigree, noting that while no stud interest has emerged, the colt deserves a role in the breeding world. He hinted that plans may shift back toward Group racing after a winter of considering handicaps and seven‑furlong trips.
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, carrying the colours of the King and Queen. Starting at 7‑1, the colt appeared unsettled at the gate but soon found his rhythm, gradually moving up from the back and taking the lead with a furlong to go. Ryan Moore guided him to a five‑and‑a‑half‑length victory, prompting John Gosden to comment, “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 – there goes the handicap mark!” The trainer cautioned against getting ahead of themselves, suggesting a measured progression through novice company before tackling higher levels. Racing manager John Warren, who oversees the King and Queen’s equine interests, expressed his excitement about Portcullis, noting the colt was part of the final mating plans approved by the late Queen Elizabeth II before her death in 2022.
Warren recalled, “I was with the Queen the weekend before she died and proposed the matings to her. The skeleton of the plan was hatched with the Queen, then I took it to the King and Queen Camilla in November to see if they liked the list. It’s a joint effort by all.” He added that the royal couple now derive great pleasure from their horses, a sentiment that has grown over recent years. Warren concluded, “He is only on the first rung of the ladder, but it’s an exciting ladder and we’re on it.”