Raven's for Craven As Gosden Hunts Guineas

From Venezuela to New market, via Ireland and America, New market and Manton, then back to New market again, John Gosden has put down roots at last. "I've had enough of wandering, you can't go on being an international gypsy for ever," said Gosden yesterday as he ran the rule over his 140-strong team of thoroughbreds at Clarehaven Stables.

It was on oil boom in South America that took Gosden to Venezuela for a job in land development in the early 70s, but racing was ingrained in the son of the former top trainer Towser Gosden and he spent most of his time "track-side".

After 29 successful, if nomadic, years as a trainer himself, Gosden is in the third year of his second stint at New market and there will be no more moves. "I was on the road a long time, but this is it now. Clarehaven is a lovely place to be training."

Having gone closest with third-placed Anshan in 1990, Gosden now believes Raven's Pass is his best chance yet of winning the 2,000 Guineas. The second-favorite for next month's renewal was not asked to do anything too strenuous in a spin up Warren Hill yesterday. His faster work had been done the day before.

"I want to get a run into Raven's Pass before the Guineas. He's fresh and fizzy and it will take the excitement out of him," said Gosden, who named New market's Craven Stakes as one of two possible targets next week. "He has never impressed me in a piece of work yet but I don't mind that, if they do it on the track."

Raven's Pass "did it" on the racecourse last year, breaking the two-year-olds' course record when winning Sandown's Solario Stakes by seven lengths before finishing third to New Approach and Fast Company in the Dewhurst. He quickened into the lead two furlongs out but did not get home in the rain-softened ground.

"I wouldn't run him on that ground again," said Gosden. "Jimmy [Fortune] said he changed his legs going into the dip and didn't like it. I'd be happy to take on New Approach again on good to firm ground, but I was also impressed with the second horse, Fast Company."

Sense Of Joy, prominent in betting on the 1,000 Guineas, will go straight to the fillies' Classic on May 4. The winner of both her races last season before meeting with a setback, she was described as "very professional" by her trainer, who could also run Infallible and Michita in the 1,000 Guineas. A "big, powerful galloper", Michita is certainly one for the future.

Gosden, who won the Derby in 1997 with Benny The Dip, supplemented Centennial for Epsom at a cost of £8,000 this week. "He has a sporting owner, so we thought 'Why not?'"

Centennial, who "worked nicely" on Wednesday, heads for the Sandown Classic Trial at the end of the month. Also earmarked for the Sandown meeting are Royal Oath and Charm School, who made a striking impression when bolting up by seven lengths at Doncaster. Gosden also gave a positive mention for the unraced three-year-old Moonquake.

Ron Cox's tip of the day

Stevie Thunder 3.40 Musselburgh

The winner of a seller over this course and distance on his debut last season, Stevie Thunder showed much-improved form on his return at Nottingham nine days ago. Time may show it was a smart effort to get within a length of Peter Chapple-Hyam's Jaser and Stevie Thunder finished clear of everything else. He drops back a furlong in trip here but that should not be a problem.