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.