Candleford

Candleford put up a good performance to finish second to his stable companion Chalk Stream in the one-and-a-half-mile handicap at Ascot last Saturday, although he was subsequently disqualified as he raced without his weight cloth and, consequently, his rider weighed in 5lb light.

A little keen early on and along the inside, William Haggas’ horse was well back in the field when they reached the home turn, and he was along the inside, in traffic. Rider Adam Farragher had to sit still for a few strides passing the two-furlong marker, at which point his stable companion got a gap and burst through into the lead. Candleford was playing catch-up from that point, but he was brave in going through a narrow gap into second place and, while it never looked like he would get to his stable companion, he stayed on all the way to the line to get to finish a good second.

Chalk Stream was impressive in winning, but Candleford did well to finish second, given that he was drawn low and that he was keen and that he didn’t have a clear run through the race. It was just his fourth run too, he had done well to win a 12-furlong novice stakes at Windsor on his previous run, when he was forced wide around the home turn and stumbled after clipping heels. The handicapper left him on his mark of 85 after Saturday’s race, which made sense, given that he was carrying 5lb less than he should have been carrying, but that is a mark that he has the potential to surpass now. He stays a mile and a half well, and he should progress as he gains more experience.
Ascot, 4^th September 2021