15:35 Newmarket

Thursday 16 April 2026

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Betway Craven Stakes (Group 3)

3YO only | Class 1 | 1m | 7 Runners | Turf

(3)

Avicenna²¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Ray Dawson| T: R Varian| OR: 103

4/1

Created a very good impression when successful twice over 7f at Doncaster at the end of last summer, latterly edging out Hankelow in a listed event at the St Leger meeting. That reopposing rival boosted that form with a win in a C&D Group 3 in the autumn. Should make a bold bid to remain unbeaten.

Form: 11-

(4)

Commander's Intent¹⁸⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: George Scott| OR: 100| BF

33/1

Useful performer, winning a novice and nursery over 7f last summer. Ended his 2-y-o campaign with good runner-up efforts in listed/Group 3 events (all 7f). Will stay 1m but he looks vulnerable in this very strong line-up.

Form: 131222-

(6)

Hankelow¹⁸⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 107| CD

4/1

Night of Thunder colt who was highly progressive at 2. On the back of a York debut success he was edged out by Avicenna in 7f Doncaster listed event (good) before ending his season with a win in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes over C&D (good to firm). Likely to continue improving.

Form: 121-

(5)

Hawk Mountain¹⁷³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 116| D

9/4

Only fifth on 7f debut last August but improved rapidly after, winning 3 times over 1m, including the Group 2 Beresford at the Curragh (soft) and Group 1 Futurity at Doncaster (heavy; beat stablemate Action ½ length). Sets a good standard but may need 1¼m+ to be seen to very best effect this year.

Form: 5111-

(2)

Hidden Force⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 103| D

9/4

Frankel colt who is 2-2 on all-weather at Kempton, latterly just pushed out to see off Venetian Prince by 1½ lengths in a 1m conditions event also won by the yard's 2024 2000 Guineas winner Notable Speech. Smart prospect.

Form: 1-1

(1)

Oxagon^p1¹⁷³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 112

9/1

Frankel colt who confirmed debut promise when bolting up by 8 lengths at Sandown. Showed he's smart when second in the Champagne and fifth in the Dewhurst on next 2 starts and presumably failed to cope with heavy ground in the Futurity on final start. Fitted with first-time cheekpieces on return.

Form: 51255-

(7)

Venetian Prince⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P J McDonald| T: A M Balding| OR: 87

18/1

St Mark's Basilica colt who built on debut promise to land 10-runner novice at Newbury (7f) last August. Runner-up in 2 all-weather starts this year, showed improved form when beaten 1½ lengths by Hidden Force in a 1m Kempton conditions event latterly. A lot more will be needed here.

Form: 61-22

Forecasts

Hawk Mountain (2/1), Hidden Force (5/2), Hankelow (9/2), Avicenna (5/1), Oxagon (10/1), Venetian Prince (20/1), Commander's Intent (25/1)

This looks a good Craven. HANKELOW returns to the scene of his Group 3 success last autumn and might be able to get the better of Futurity winner Hawk Mountain, who may need further than 1m this season when the ground isn't riding testing. Unbeaten pair Avicenna, who gained a narrow verdict over the selection in a 7f Doncaster listed race last year, and Hidden Force are other fascinating contenders.