September 30 / 16.57 Chelmsford (AW)

16.57

Standard

Illuminate Christmas Ball Nursery Handicap

  • Prize money: £4004
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 6
  • 10 runners
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Illuminate Christmas Ball Nursery Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Mostly cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.85
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 5860 BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 10lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Has very good pedigree but finished well down the field when favourite for recent nursery debut at Newcastle (6f); upped in trip with visor added here; not written off just yet.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(6)

19th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Desert Raider

9st 10lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Ian McInnes

Both wins on Polytrack (7f/1m) when making all in first-time headgear; currently running well here, however, and he followed a 40-1 second (7f) at the start of last month with a respectable third of 14 (1m) four weeks later; should give it another good go.

4/1

3rd

2

(10)

29th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

21:00 Newcastle (AW)

Desert Raider

9st 10lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Ian McInnes

Won twice on Polytrack for Charlie Johnston; 0-10 for current yard but a repeat of his second over 7f here four weeks ago would see him on the scene; has won at 1m.

11/2

2nd

11

(7)

1st Aug 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:07 Newcastle (AW)

Desert Raider

9st 8lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Ian McInnes

Dual Polytrack winner (7f/1m) for Charlie Johnston whose form in nine starts for this yard has been patchy; neck defeat over 1m here in May came in a slowly run contest and more will be needed to come out best in this.

25/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 989

Last run: 71 days

W: 9st 9lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Struggled in three maiden/novice races in June/July (6f-7.4f) but was gelded in the meantime and has much more realistic chance to get competitive in this low-grade nursery.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

11

(6)

10th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

19:50 Dundalk (AW)

Palazzo Persico

9st 10lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Three AW wins when trained by Ed Dunlop; 0-5 for current yard but was placed over 1m2f here last month; 1m too sharp last time; each-way claims if on his game.

20/1

10th

5

(7)

1st Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Palazzo Persico

9st 11lb

J: Reese Holohan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Four-time winner for Ed Dunlop (three on AW); won four-runner 1m2f Brighton handicap last July; best run for this yard so far when a dead-heating third of nine with Star Mind over the extended 1m2f here last Friday; this trip is possibly a bit shorter than ideal.

8/1

3rd

4

(2)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 150y

20:15 Dundalk (AW)

Palazzo Persico

9st 12lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Four-time winner for Ed Dunlop (three on AW); won four-runner Brighton handicap last July; some encouragement in his 5.75l seventh here in February, but that is sandwiched between two poor efforts for new yard.

15/1

8/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 040

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 5lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
Never left the rear division in three 6f maiden/novice races last month but sports a first-time visor for this low-grade nursery and her pedigree suggests the extra furlong will suit; no surprise if she features.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

13:15 Hereford

Serendipitous Lady

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Brett Johnson

in touch with leaders, weakened before 2 out

66/1

4th

3

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

13:15 Hereford

Serendipitous Lady

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Brett Johnson

in touch with leaders, weakened before 2 out

66/1

3rd

3

30th Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

13:50 Fakenham

Serendipitous Lady

10st 12lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Brett Johnson

didn't always jump with fluency, always behind

20/1

Form: 08978

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 13lb

2 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Well down the field off today's basement mark when 66-1 for first two nurseries (1m/7f); needs the first-time blinkers to make a huge difference today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

(11)

20th Jan 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Heads Gone Pal

9st 0lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Adrian Wintle

towards rear

14/1

9th

12

(7)

25th Nov 2023

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

16:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Heads Gone Pal

8st 3lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Tony Carroll

Seven-race maiden; has had four runs in nurseries off the basement mark, third of nine at Brighton (7f) on latest; could make the frame again but he'll need improvement if he's to notch a first win.

10/1

10/1

Form: 600

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Well down the field on his last two starts (7f/6f) but positives can be drawn from his Newmarket debut in June (6f), and he's sure to appreciate this significant ease in grade; cheekpieces removed after one use.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(8)

30th Sep 2023

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

16:57 Chelmsford (AW)

Profectus

9st 7lb

J: Tom Queally

T: George Margarson

Well down the field on his last two starts (7f/6f) but positives can be drawn from his Newmarket debut in June (6f), and he's sure to appreciate this significant ease in grade; cheekpieces removed after one use.

10/1

11th

8

(2)

4th Sep 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 5

16:20 Windsor

Profectus

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: George Margarson

ducked sharply left start, never better than midfield

50/1

10th

5

(1)

18th Aug 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Newmarket (July)

Profectus

9st 4lb

J: David Egan

T: George Margarson

Out of a fairly useful 7f winner but he made a low-key start when a 9l sixth of nine here (6f, good to soft; 33-1) in June; should know more this time but he has a lot to find upped in trip.

33/1

Form: 474558

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 13lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
12-race maiden; has shown more than enough ability to suggest he can win a race off his basement but his last two runs were below par and he needs to up his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(6)

30th Sep 2023

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

16:57 Chelmsford (AW)

Mist Of Lir

8st 13lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Amy Murphy

12-race maiden; has shown more than enough ability to suggest he can win a race off his basement but his last two runs were below par and he needs to up his game.

8/1

8th

11

(8)

18th Sep 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

16:52 Kempton (AW)

Mist Of Lir

8st 8lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Amy Murphy

In the frame on three occasions on turf/Tapeta, but now 0-11 and vulnerable to less exposed rivals.

14/1

5th

6

(6)

11th Sep 2023

Good

0m 5f 215y

Class 6

15:30 Brighton

Mist Of Lir

8st 13lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Amy Murphy

Ten-race maiden but he ran well for a long way at Chelmsford (7f, Polytrack) last time and was beaten only 2l; this drop back in trip looks a good move and he could make a bold bid back on turf; reapplied blinkers replace cheekpieces.

100/30

4/1

Form: 434323

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 13lb

2 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Exposed after ten runs but scores good marks for consistency in nurseries; made the frame for sixth consecutive time off today's basement mark when third of 11 at Lingfield (7f) a fortnight ago; probably won't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(4)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

16:23 Wolverhampton (AW)

Birkie Boy

9st 2lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Celine De La Haye

Five wins in Jersey for current stable and he's returned to the mainland with two creditable efforts at Brighton (1m/7f) this month; 1lb lower on this return to AW and he has each-way claims.

7/2

6

(4)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

16:23 Wolverhampton (AW)

Birkie Boy

9st 2lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Celine De La Haye

Five wins in Jersey for current stable and he's returned to the mainland with two creditable efforts at Brighton (1m/7f) this month; 1lb lower on this return to AW and he has each-way claims.

7/2

12

(2)

16th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 210y

Class 6

16:40 Brighton

Birkie Boy

8st 11lb

J: Laura Coughlan

T: Celine De La Haye

Five wins in Jersey for current stable; respectable fourth at Brighton (1m) last week back on the mainland; likely needs to improve on that effort, however.

20/1

OUR TIP

6/1

Form: 150444

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 10lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Rallied gamely to win a five-runner maiden at Brighton (6f, soft) in June but subsequent nursery form has been somewhat underwhelming; seemingly aided by first-time blinkers when fourth of six in recent Wolverhampton seller (6f) but went back up 3lb for that run; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(3)

10th Oct 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 210y

Class 6

13:45 Brighton

Search

9st 8lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: John Butler

dwelt start, towards rear, headway and hung left over 1f out, weakened final 110yds

8/1

8th

2

(4)

30th Sep 2023

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

16:57 Chelmsford (AW)

Search

9st 10lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: John Butler

Rallied gamely to win a five-runner maiden at Brighton (6f, soft) in June but subsequent nursery form has been somewhat underwhelming; seemingly aided by first-time blinkers when fourth of six in recent Wolverhampton seller (6f) but went back up 3lb for that run; others preferred.

6/1

4th

2

(5)

23rd Sep 2023

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Search

9st 10lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: John Butler

awkward start and slowly away

16/1

Form: 906

Last run: 19 days

W: 8st 13lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Showed no significant promise in her three qualifying races (all over 7f) but, like some of the others in this line-up, this is her first realistic chance to get seriously involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(9)

23rd May 2024

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

15:50 Lingfield (AW)

Majolica

9st 0lb

J: Alfie Redman

T: Simon Hodgson

in touch with leaders

40/1

9th

9

(9)

23rd May 2024

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

15:50 Lingfield (AW)

Majolica

9st 0lb

J: Alfie Redman

T: Simon Hodgson

in touch with leaders, outpaced and lost position 2f out, weakened over 1f out

40/1

Form: 505044

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Behind Birkie Boy when keeping-on fourth of 11 at Lingfield (7f) a fortnight ago and now 0-6 but she's another 3lb lower here and might be boosted by the addition of blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(11)

24th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Tenyatta

9st 9lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Ben Lund

Course winner who showed much more than of late when second of nine in classified event over C&D 13 days ago; she needs to back it up now.

8/1

2nd

6

(2)

11th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Tenyatta

9st 9lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Ben Lund

Broke duck on debut for James Owen last spring but up and down for the yard after and didn't do enough on debut for this one to fancy today.

25/1

2nd

6

(2)

11th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Tenyatta

9st 9lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Ben Lund

Broke duck on debut for James Owen last spring but up and down for the yard after and didn't do enough on debut for this one to fancy today.

25/1

Non-runners

Danehill Star

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £26.60
Straight Forecast £30.26
Tricast £103.08
Trifecta £145.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Serendipitous Lady

The Times:

Tenyatta

LAMBOURN:

Birkie Boy

RP RATINGS:

Desert Raider

NEWMARKET:

Palazzo Persico

POSTDATA:

Mist Of Lir

Telegraph:

Serendipitous Lady

D Express:

Serendipitous Lady

The Sun:

Tenyatta

The Star:

Tenyatta

Daily Mirror:

Desert Raider

The Guardian:

Birkie Boy

Daily Record:

Birkie Boy

Daily Mail:

Palazzo Persico