Jockeys rarely express satisfaction after a horse they ride is beaten, but Chad Schofield was an exception after Ceolwulf secured the runner-up position behind Lindermann in the Chelmsford Stakes.

After a disappointing autumn campaign where the gelding’s season was halted by foot issues and a minor bleed, Schofield was delighted with Ceolwulf’s charge from the rear on the home turn to finish second in a race controlled by the leader.

This performance followed a fifth-place debut behind Autumn Glow in the Winx Stakes (1400m), but it was Ceolwulf’s Chelmsford run that convinced Schofield the horse had returned to his peak.

“He got beaten, but I left the races very happy because I feel like Joe (Pride) has got him right where he wants him and he’s tracking very well for the races later on,” Schofield stated.

“He didn’t come up last ‘prep’, but that’s probably why I left the races so happy. He felt as good as he has ever felt. For me, that was the main thing.

“We know he’s a horse that comes good for his grand finals and at the end of his prep and that seems to be the case again.”

Ceolwulf is set to have his third start this preparation in Saturday’s 7 Stakes (1600m) at Randwick, where he will again face Autumn Glow.

From the trainer’s perspective, Pride is uncertain if the race will offer the backmarker an ideal scenario, particularly from the outside draw of seven, but he anticipates another strong showing.

“I don’t know if we’re guaranteed any more tempo here again, but it would be nice,” Pride commented.

“The horse is ready though. He’s had his two runs back now, so he’s getting into that zone where he starts to do his best.”

Having won the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) for the last two years, Pride has not yet finalised Ceolwulf’s attempt at a third consecutive victory.

While he is confident the race conditions suit his charge, he is aware that it is a carnival target for Autumn Glow, and if she maintains that focus, it may lead Pride to consider other options.

“I haven’t one hundred per cent decided whether we’re going King Charles or Cox Plate. Saturday will probably help mould that decision and send us the right way,” Pride said.

“He’s got four group ones at 1600 metres, so I’d be pretty brave saying he’s better at 2000 metres, but that doesn’t mean he can’t win a good Group One over 2000.

“I’m thinking about his opposition more than about him in that regard.”

Stablemates Headley Grange and Private Eye have both been entered for the Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m), a race intended as a stepping stone towards more significant targets later in their campaigns.

“It’s really just a pathway race for them,” Pride explained.

“Private Eye needs to get his confidence back. Headley Grange, he doesn’t lack confidence, but he might run there because we’re going to eventually go to the Alan Brown (Stakes).”

Both will be ridden by their regular jockeys, Adam Hyeronimus on Headley Grange and Nash Rawiller aboard Private Eye. The 7 Stakes is shaping up to be a key race to watch with online bookmakers.

The previous outing for Sepals and Von Hauke saw them finish second and third respectively in a Group 1 race in Brisbane.

The duo is now gearing up for another attempt at Group 1 level, this time competing in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield this Saturday.

In June, Sepals and Von Hauke secured second and third place behind Spicy Martini on a rain-affected track in the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm, before enjoying a break in Queensland.

During the Stradbroke Handicap, they occupied adjacent stalls, 16 and 17. On Saturday, they will again start from neighbouring barriers, with Sepals in stall five and Von Hauke in stall six.

Trainer Cliff Brown has often faced challenges with poor barrier draws for this pair, especially in Group races, necessitating a conservative racing style. However, this Saturday could offer a different scenario, particularly for Von Hauke.

“He’s more tractable now Von Hauke,” Brown commented. “He can be handy, but he hasn’t drawn well in the past which has cost him. Sepals can go forward, go back, it depends on how he jumps. They will both come on for the run, which is normal for my horses.”

Sepals has the chance to become the first horse since Testa Rossa in 1999-2000 to achieve consecutive wins in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.

Under Craig Williams’ direction, Sepals overcame a slow start and barrier 14 to win the Group 1 prize last year carrying 52kg.

Sepals will carry 56.5kg this year and will be ridden by Ethan Brown, while Harry Coffey, who guided Von Hauke in Brisbane, will again partner the horse on Saturday.

Brown has adopted a similar preparation strategy for both horses, involving two jump-outs for each.

Von Hauke’s most recent jump-out occurred at Caulfield Heath in early September, while Sepals completed a jump-out at Sandown last week.

“They’ll both be fit enough for 1400 metres, but with improvement to come,” Brown stated. “Vonnie is very good. He’s interesting. He’s quite a gross horse but comes on quite quick. He’s had a couple of gallops since his last jump-out while I trialled Sepals last week, a bit closer to the race. He won first-up last year, but he was scratched two weeks earlier because he went off in the gates and hit his head. That’s why he had that extra trial last year and that’s why I’ve trialled him a bit closer to Saturday because he can get that bit fresh.”

The 2026 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is set to be a competitive race; consider checking out the latest online bookmakers for your wagers.

Manchester United have already been involved in several major VAR incidents in the Premier League this season

Manchester United have experienced huge VAR calls in the early weeks of the new Premier League campaign. It has been a disappointing start to the season for Michael Carrick’s side, who have picked up four points from their first four games after losing the Manchester derby on Sunday.

The recent 1-0 defeat by Manchester City centred around key refereeing decisions at Old Trafford. Phil Foden was sent off for City after kicking out at Bruno Fernandes, though replays appeared to show the United captain kicking Foden first. Fernandes escaped further punishment, but United legend Roy Keane believed the midfielder was fortunate.

“Bruno goes in, tackles him, clearly fouls him and gives him a little boot on the floor,” he told Sky Sports. “Foden gets up, does react, and he’s now sent off. I’m guessing it’s classed as violent conduct, but to me Bruno’s the one who’s violent here. I have to call it out.”

The biggest controversy of the Manchester derby stemmed from the game’s only goal, with Pro Ref admitting to an “error of judgement” regarding Erling Haaland’s winner. The striker converted a deflected cross shortly after his teammate Enzo Fernandez had attempted to score a diving header.

United defender Lisandro Martinez was positioned between the two City players, but officials deemed that Fernandez had not interfered with play after failing to make contact with the ball. It was initially ruled offside, but VAR official Matt Donohue instructed referee Michael Oliver to award the goal, with Haaland played onside by Patrick Dorgu.

A Pro Ref spokesperson said: “The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland – that was checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position. In the same attack, it was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball, which makes any offside offence subjective; however, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review.

“Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place.”

Earlier in the season, United benefited from a controversial incident in their win over newly-promoted Ipswich Town. The Reds triumphed 5-2 at Old Trafford, but the club’s second goal proved contentious as the ball struck Harry Maguire’s arm in the build-up.

Advertisement

A handball offence by the goal scorer would have seen Maguire’s effort chalked off. However, as his shot was heading off target and was deflected in by Ipswich’s Jacob Greaves, the goal was allowed to stand and helped United reclaim a 2-1 lead.

Jarred Gillett was on VAR duty for the game and informed referee Craig Pawson: “It’s an own goal and the accidental handball is not punishable. So, we recommend you award the goal.”

The following week, United were denied a penalty for a challenge on Matheus Cunha in their draw with Everton. An impressive run from Marcus Rashford helped work the ball to Cunha in the box, who went down from James Tarkowski’s last-gasp challenge, but Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie agreed with referee John Brooks’ decision not to award a spot kick.

“Tarkowski gets enough on the ball, and he does…just,” Hendrie said. “The penalty has been checked, and it’s cleared. It’s a brilliant tackle.

“This angle shows more, he just gets complete purchase on the ball. Is Cunha looking for it? Tell you what, it is a risky one but it’s well worth it. It’s outstanding defending from Tarkowski.”