Markab triumph a sweet moment for Candy

Kingston Warren-based trainer Henry Candy has been preparing high-class thoroughbreds for more than three decades and hit the big time once again with Markab, impressive winner of the Group 1 Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday, writes Elliot Slater.

The man who trained the tremendous middle-distance mare Time Charter back in the early-1980's, has become better known in recent times as a handler of sprinters and has enjoyed some top-notch successes with speed merchants such as Airwave, Caesar Beware and Kyllachy. In Markab, he has another horse now capable of performing at the very highest level over sprint trips.

All eyes were on favourite Starspangledbanner who had proven hard to beat this term with victories in both the Golden Jubilee Stakes and the July Cup, before running a cracker at York to finish second in the Nunthorpe Stakes behind Sole Power, and was expected to resume winning ways. Aidan O'Brien's ex-Australian colt was never able to dominate though and faded at the furlong pole as Pat Cosgrave produced the seven-year-old gelding Markab (12/1), with a withering run down the centre of the track.

As racing tips at the time predicted, he then stayed on strongly to beat the classy filly Lady Of The Desert by a length-and-a-quarter, with Genki back in third.

Markab had already shown himself to those at horse racing Ireland that he can be progressive this term, winning the Group 3 Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh before finishing a fine second to Equiano in the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. Candy suggested that his charge's subsequent below-par effort at Newbury came as a result of running the horse too quickly after his Ascot effort.

Markab, a 33,000 guineas purchase from Shadwell stud as a four-year-old, may next go for the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp on 'Arc' day, and would have a serious chance being able to cope with all underfoot conditions.