Field Of Gold produces dazzling Craven display

Field Of Gold shot to the head of the betting for the Betfred 2000 Guineas with a dazzling display in the bet365 Craven Stakes at Newmarket.

John and Thady Gosden’s son of Kingman had shaped with real promise as a two-year-old, winning the Group Three Solario Stakes before finishing the year competing in Group One company.

Putting his Classic credentials to the test on his first start at three, he was sent off the 100-30 favourite in the hands of Kieran Shoemark who rode the strapping grey with supreme confidence.

Exiting the famous Rowley Mile dip, Shoemark just had to pause his challenge momentarily, but soon slipped his mount into top gear as he surged past the likes of eventual second Wimbledon Hawkeye and third-placed Aomori City for the most impressive of victories.

He returned a three-and-a-half-length verdict over James Owen’s Wimbledon Hawkeye, as Gosden senior – who has so far never won the 2000 Guineas – picked up the Craven for the first time since 1993.

Field Of Gold was made Paddy Power’s 11-4 favourite to do what his illustrious sire could not manage and claim the opening Classic of the year, with the colt’s success also strengthening the hand of owners Juddmonte after the Greenham triumph of Andrew Balding’s Jonquil and the win of Harry Charlton’s Cosmic Year over the past week.