Pride’s final exam for Ceolwulf: the 2000m test

There is still more for Joe Pride to learn with his best-ever horse Ceolwulf.

This preparation will answer the final question can the four-time mile Group 1 winner run a strong 2000m.

Ceolwulf has been to 2000m only twice since he was a three-year-old for a win and a second at Group 3 level.

But to be fair to Pride and Ceolwulf he has never got the opportunity to prepare him properly for 2000m.

Last autumn became a trainwreck of campaign where Pride was forced to change direction a number of times after his star kicked a fence following a slashing return in the Apollo Stakes, in which he started his 2026 on Saturday.

“I still think he will be very good at 2000m and we are going to find out this preparation,” Pride said. “We will give him three chances at it and if he doesn’t get we will know come the Queen Elizabeth.”

Pride likes to build his horses’ campaigns, which made this time last year a complete frustration after finishing alongside Via Sistina running fourth in the Apollo Stakes.

“He was goes well and then – well – it all went pear shaped,” Pride said. “I have him fresh to run well at 1400m again on Saturday.”

“I’m delighted to see The Instructor in the race because we have learnt he loves tempo and needs it to be at his best.”

“That is something you have to learn to accept.”

The program is clear for the next eight weeks. Ceolwulf will race every fortnight, next will be the Verry Elleegant Stakes before the Sky High Stakes then a trip to Melbourne for the Australian Cup and finally the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

The craftsman in Pride has the blinkers hanging in the stable for Ceolwulf, who wore them in his King Charles Stakes and Champions Mile win in the spring.

“I don’t think I’ll use them before the Australian Cup,” Pride said. “We know they help.”

“He is a horse that builds his preparations and gets better with every run, so the fourth and fifth runs he will be at his peak.”

Pride has another stable favourite, Coal Crusher, in the Expressway Stakes in his blinkers after the short turnaround after running second to Weeping Woman in the Razor Sharp Stakes in December.

“He is ready to go and has freshened up well,” Pride said.

But he offers one hint about the aforementioned Weeping Woman, who is back in the Triscay Stakes.

“She is my best chance of the day,” Pride said. “She got through her grades with three wins in summer and I think she can keep it going.

“She has to step up but her riders are confident she will.”