WINNER: Candescence blows them away to scoop £18k prize

Dreams became reality today as Candescence stormed to victory in the Sunday Series Sprint Handicap at Hamilton.

The Queen of Ursa - officially crowned our number one horse just last week - put in a phenomenal performance to win the Class 3 event under Dougie Costello for Mark Walford.

It was a poignant result for all with Candescence having run into more handicap blots and bad luck than any other horse in training.

Yet despite that she has still recorded two wins and eight places from 12 runs and scooped more than £36,000 in prize money - £18,000 coming today.

She broke perfectly and was nursed into a brilliant position by Dougie before storming clear in the last 100 yards - and dreams of black type are now close to reality.

It is a huge day for Ursa Major, winning a big race on ITV4 - and we want to thank all our owners, trainer Mark Walford, Candescence’s co-owners John Craggs and CW Racing and our sponsors Elite Electrical and Elstone Engineering for their support.

Craig Talbot, Racing Manager, said: “I have to admit I am quite emotional after that. But we have said since day one that she is a good horse and today she has got that big pot she deserves.

“I am so pleased for all our owners, for Mark and his family and team and to John Craggs and CW.

“It makes all the hard work worth it to take a race like this and I genuinely don’t think picking up a bit of black type is beyond her now.

“We always say Dream Big in Ursa - today we are living that dream.”

Rider Dougie Costello said: “I am excited by her and I wouldn’t be surprised if she could get a little bit of black type over a sprint trip.

“She’s done it nicely, the pace was honest all the way through, she’s been running over further and been consistent but I said to Mark I wouldn’t worry about coming back to a stiff five and with this prize money you can take your chance and she was great.

“She is very honest and over these short trips she has a long stride on her and once she had that rising ground off she went.

“She is a great filly and I am excited by her and what is to come.”

Trainer Mark Walford added: “She did it very well and it’s great for her owners who have stuck by my through thick and thin. She is a cracking horse and she deserved that”

All pictures copyright Claire Dowling @handsandheels11