Candleford too hot for Duke Of Edinburgh rivals Tom Marquand opened his account for Royal Ascot 2022 as the long-absent Candleford ran away with the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes. Trained by William Haggas, the four-year-old had not been seen in competitive action since winning at Kempton in November, but was nevertheless prominent in the market at 11/2. For a moment early in the straight it looked as though Kim Bailey’s Ajero had slipped the field, but Candleford joined him approaching the final furlong before rocketing clear. The Queen's 4-1 joint-favourite Just Fine never threatened to land a telling blow and was well beaten. Haggas said: "He loves going right handed and won a nice race in the autumn. I thought going a mile and a half on fast ground would prove right up his street. "I actually thought all through the winter I would win the Duke Of Edinburgh, but not with him. I didn’t think he would get in, but I was wrong. "One person I’m thinking of right now is Alison Samuel, who rides him every day. She will be in tears for a week." The winner is owned by former England cricketer Craig Kieswetter’s Barnane Stud.
