15:35 Newmarket

Thursday 16 April 2026

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

Betway Craven Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 1m 37.21s

(3)

Avicenna²¹⁶

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

11/2

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

16/1

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-

(2)

Hidden Force⁵⁰

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

11/10

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

7/4

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

14/1

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

Non-Runners

(6)

Hankelow¹⁸⁷

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: K R Burke J: C Lee

(5)

Hawk Mountain¹⁷³

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: A P O'Brien J: R L Moore

Forecasts

Hidden Force (11/10), Oxagon (7/4), Hawk Mountain (2/1), Hankelow (9/2), Avicenna (11/2), Venetian Prince (14/1), Commander's Intent (16/1)

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.