Candlestick keeps the fires burning

Candlestick readily got off the mark for Jessica Harrington and Paddy Kennedy in Fairyhouse's two and a quarter mile maiden hurdle.

He made good headway to be just behind the leader and favourite Gars Bar Dine at the third last and took up the running when the latter made a mistake jumping that hurdle.

He travelled well on the homeward bend and then was pushed along entering the straight. He was two lengths up approaching the second last when ridden by Kennedy.

The five-year-old Scorpion gelding found plenty and a fluent jump at the last saw him land full of running. He kept on well to score by two and three quarter lengths at 8/1 having opened at 12s.

Bringofthedawn stayed on for second at 33/1 with Aimin For Anna a neck away in third at 25/1.

“That was great. He kind of promised it the first time but he's just been a bit disappointing and the penny was a bit slow to drop,” Jessica Harrington said.

“Today he was scrubbing him from three or four out to get him to go, and I thought he was going to go backwards, but when the penny dropped he jumped the last two really well.

“He's bred to be better on better ground and is a half-brother to Burn And Turn.

“He'll make a nice chaser in time and will go novice hurdling now during the summer.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson