Craven Stakes Tips 2026: Godolphin Colt Can Enhance Guineas Claims

The feature meeting of what's been an informative Craven Meeting at Newmarket is of course Thursday's Craven Stakes, annually an important 2000 Guineas Trial.  As is so often the case in these big flat races, it is Coolmore vs Godolphin at the head of the market and Billy Grimshaw below makes the case to side with the boys in blue, who've already had an excellent few days at HQ.

I am looking at a bit of a trend buster to claim the Craven this year, with no horse coming here in the last twelve years with a win under its belt on its previous run tasting glory. Race fitness has certainly not been something that is a prerequisite to win this, with the majority of the last decade's winners having come here on seasonal debut, but I have been very impressed with HIDDEN FORCE both at two and in the early part of this season on the all-weather and think he'll take all the beating here on the Rowley Mile.

Appleby and Buick kicked off the Craven Meeting in style with a couple of strong favourites doing the business on Day One and they are always a combination to be feared at the start of the season, traditionally flying out of the traps. Aidan O'Brien was stereotypically a more sluggish starter but in recent seasons that reputation has been squashed somewhat, however although I do believe Hawk Mountain will evolve into a smart colt over further as this season goes on, I don't see him being cherry ripe for this whereas with a Kempton win already secured, we know Hidden Force is cooking on gas for season 2026.

Admittedly, he will need to improve on his two length win last time out on the all-weather but he looks a no nonsense sort with gears to crank through. The run will, despite the trends, be a huge help in my view for a yard that have won three of the last seven renewals. A negative for Hawk Mountain is Ireland's shocking record in the race, with no winner since 2005. It is rare Aidan sends his very best runner to this race, preferring to either prep at home or come to Newmarket in early March for the Classic fresh.

Given the master of Ballydoyle has had such a stranglehold on the 2000 Guineas, the race this contest is a huge trial for, it is no surprise to see there has been no Craven winner go on to win the Guineas in 22 years. Despite the trends again being against him should he head for the Classic, I would not be surprised if Hidden Force snaps that trend.

He is, of course, not the only Godolphin representative in this field and Avicenna certainly looked above average at two for Roger Varian. He is a touch skinny on bare form to my eye at around 9/2, but there is no doubting he has untapped potential given both his wins last season came despite obvious greenness. Wrapping up his season last time out he defeated Hankelow by a nose at Doncaster, but the second that day I'd fancy to reverse form here given he has a Newmarket win on his CV and looks the more straightforward proposition to support on seasonal debut. Karl Burke's Night Of Thunder colt is actually the horse I fear most for my bet on Hidden Force, but he still has something to find to my eye.

There is a fair gap from the aforementioned quartet to the rest of the field of seven in the market, but the Craven has often seen shock winners and I'd be in no rush to lay double figures about the Gosden trained Oxagon even with just two each-way places on offer. He finished last season with a whimper, but that was in the Futurity Stakes late in the season and upon rewatching that race, it was evident to see he just did not handle the soft ground whatsoever.

With the ground set to be good he will almost certainly be revitalised and given the Gosden pair won this race last year with the ultra impressive Field Of Gold, I do not think he should be dismissed. The application of cheekpieces is also interesting, indicating perhaps he has not been straightforward over the winter but I've no doubt he has ability and could make a mockery of the price of 10/1 I am seeing across the boards. Venetian Prince looks held on form with Hidden Force given their Kempton clash last time, when he was comfortably beaten by two lengths, and Commander's Intent looks a bit outclassed on everything we've seen from him thus far. An informative affair undoubtedly awaits us, but I am sweet on the Godolphin first string enhancing their strong record in this race and meeting itself.