Craven Stakes 2026 Preview
The Craven Stakes is one of the key early season trials for the 2000 Guineas and consistently rewards high class three year olds with the right balance of ability, experience and progression.
This is not simply about raw talent. Winners typically arrive off a break, already have a solid foundation from their two year old season and have shown enough class to suggest they can develop into Group level performers.
At Turf Talk, every runner has been assessed using our proven three step model. Trends identify the right type, ratings rank the strongest profiles and the final filter isolates the runners best suited to a strongly run mile at Newmarket.
In a small but high quality field, the model helps separate proven class from potential alone.
Key Craven Stakes Trends
• 9/11 winners had their last run over 165 days ago
• 7/11 winners had previous Newmarket experience
• 10/11 winners had at least 3 previous flat runs
• 11/11 winners had at least 1 previous flat win
• 8/11 winners had at least 2 previous flat wins
• 9/11 winners were rated 107 or higher
• 7/11 winners had at least 1 Group race win
• 20/20 winners were within the first 6 in the market
• 18/20 winners achieved an RPR of 85+ on their last win
This is a race that strongly favours classy, proven two year olds returning off a break with enough experience to handle a proper Guineas trial test.
Turf Talk Eliminator + Ratings
| Horse | Trends % | Rating | Age | Weight | Stamina | Recent | Trainer | Jockey | Key Positives | Negatives | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden Force | 94% | 235 | 3 | 9-2 | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | Unbeaten, Appleby and Buick in outstanding form, strong progression, ideal profile for the race | Less experienced than some rivals | LEADING CONTENDER |
| Hawk Mountain | 93% | 233 | 3 | 9-2 | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | Highest class form in the race, unbeaten progression, proven at the trip | No Newmarket run and may not be as sharply tuned as the selection | STRONG CONTENDER |
| Hankelow | 91% | 228 | 3 | 9-2 | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Course and distance winner, strong two year old profile, proven at Newmarket | Needs a little more on pure class than the top two | STRONG CONTENDER |
| Oxagon | 89% | 224 | 3 | 9-2 | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓ | Strong ratings, top connections, solid two year old form | No standout win at the top level | SHORTLIST |
| Avicenna | 88% | 221 | 3 | 9-2 | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | Unexposed, from a yard in good form and open to further progress | Lacks the same proven class as the principals | SHORTLIST |
| Commander’s Intent | 84% | 214 | 3 | 9-2 | ✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Consistent profile and brings solid placed form | Needs more class to trouble the main players | NEEDS MORE |
| Venetian Prince | 78% | 206 | 3 | 9-2 | ✗ | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Some useful recent form | Trip doubts and lacks the class edge of the leading contenders | OUTSIDER |
Final Selections
Hidden Force (2/1 available)
He gets the vote as the selection in a race where profile, stable form and progression all matter greatly. Unbeaten in two starts and representing a Charlie Appleby yard in electric form, he brings exactly the right blend of class, upside and current stable momentum for a race of this nature.
Hawk Mountain (7/2 available)
A colt with a very strong body of form and one of the classiest profiles in the line-up. His ratings and proven mile form make him a major player, and he looks the obvious danger if reproducing that level on his return.
Hankelow (5/1 available)
A course and distance winner with a solid two year old profile, he brings proven Newmarket form into the race and looks the most reliable of the rest. He may need a little more to beat the top two, but he still makes plenty of appeal as a strong contender.
Verdict
Hidden Force (2/1) is the selection, with Hawk Mountain the main danger and Hankelow completing the strongest trio in the race. To me it looks like the O’Brien horses are needing a run. Had a couple of winners but generally they don’t look fully tuned up which for me makes Hidden Force a decent betting opportunity.
