September 29 / 20.00 Chelmsford (AW)

20.00

Standard

Illuminate Christmas Ball Handicap

  • Prize money: £6696
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
RTV
View Course
Illuminate Christmas Ball Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Showers

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.30
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 659510 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Out of depth in Listed event at Ayr last time (didn't lead) but should be suited by return to AW and well drawn for one that can make the running; no surprise to see her run well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

(10)

25th Feb 2023

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 1

13:30 Lingfield (AW)

Miss Nay Never

8st 11lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John Quinn

prominent on outer

9/2

1st

1

(1)

12th Jan 2023

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Miss Nay Never

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John Quinn

travelled strongly, made all, pushed along and edged right inside final furlong, kept on well, readily

Evs

1st

1

(1)

8th Nov 2022

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

21:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Miss Nay Never

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John Quinn

pressed leader, led over 2f out, pushed along from 1f out, ran on well, comfortably

3/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 353120 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Has had a good time of it in 2022 with four AW wins, though run of creditable efforts came to a halt at Yarmouth last time; well drawn but work to do back in this better event.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

(1)

25th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 6

14:42 Lingfield (AW)

The Defiant

8st 9lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Luke Dace

Not the force of old and, although he retains some ability, others in this field have more pressing claims.

10/1

4th

3

(5)

12th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 6

15:08 Lingfield (AW)

The Defiant

9st 1lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Luke Dace

Multiple 5f winner down the years, including over C&D, but his powers appear to be on the wane; a couple of respectable efforts last month but more will be needed to win.

8/1

33/1

  • Place: £8.20

Form: 644088 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
All six wins have been on AW but form has been patchy since last victory in December; will have to fare better if he's to return to winning ways.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(3)

7th Mar 2023

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 6

16:35 Lingfield (AW)

Astro Jakk

9st 8lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Darryll Holland

Rated 21lb higher when starting out for this yard in August; retains ability and interesting to see how he fares in the betting in relation to stablemate Lilkian now dropping into his first Class 6 handicap.

5/1

5th

4

(3)

16th Feb 2023

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Astro Jakk

9st 8lb

J: Liam Wright

T: Darryll Holland

slowly into stride

10/1

8th

6

(1)

26th Jan 2023

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

15:20 Southwell (AW)

Astro Jakk

9st 8lb

J: Liam Wright

T: Darryll Holland

He has dropped a long way in the weights since joining this yard and there have been signs he may be ready to capitalise; this race might prove a shade too competitive though; new headgear enlisted today.

10/1

6/1

Form: 554062 D

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Three of four wins have been on AW and shaped with more encouragement in first-time blinkers over 6f here last weekend; unlikely to be inconvenienced by drop back to 5f and a player with Adam Kirby up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(7)

23rd Oct 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

16:27 Southwell (AW)

Nelson Gay

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Multiple winner on the AW and consistent in the main; in front 2f out but didn't quite get home when third here last month; respected off same mark.

7/1

3rd

5

(7)

27th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Nelson Gay

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Michael Dods

Won twice over C&D early this year and he's now 2lb lower than for the second of them; showed signs of a return to form when fourth of nine at Lingfield three weeks ago; solid candidate.

9/2

1

(3)

8th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 6

14:52 Lingfield (AW)

Nelson Gay

9st 9lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Michael Dods

Three wins this year include two on the Southwell AW; hasn't been flying of late but he's the type to bounce back and this mark is fine.

11/2

5th
10 (11)
Yimou

8/1

Form: 450352 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Four-time turf winner who is 0-9 on AW, though ran as well as he has done all year when second on Polytrack at Lingfield last time; best watched from widest draw this time, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(6)

27th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 5f 215y

Class 6

17:00 Brighton

Yimou

9st 9lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Dean Ivory

Without a win since summer 2020 but has made the frame three consecutive times in cheekpieces in recent weeks (5f-6f), and competes off another career-low mark here; sports first-time visor for this first run at Brighton.

6/1

4th

2

(4)

9th Jun 2023

Firm

0m 5f 160y

Class 6

17:30 Bath

Yimou

9st 5lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Dean Ivory

slowly away, towards rear

9/2

3rd

2

(7)

30th May 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:45 Lingfield

Yimou

9st 10lb

J: Jefferson Smith

T: Dean Ivory

On a long losing run but is on a handy mark and ran his best race for a while when chasing home a well-treated one on Southwell AW 19 days ago; likes these conditions (all four wins on good to firm) and is likely to go well.

7/2

Form: 046646 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Broke losing run at Yarmouth in June but form since is uneven; visor replaced by first-time blinkers and claims if headgear works as he's 10lb lower than last run on AW and well drawn.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(4)

5th Aug 2023

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:00 Newmarket (July)

Han Solo Berger

9st 7lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Robert Cowell

8yo who retains plenty of enthusiasm and enhanced his good record on this track with a near miss last week; every chance despite 2lb nudge.

4/1

2nd

3

(5)

29th Jul 2023

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Newmarket (July)

Han Solo Berger

9st 4lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Robert Cowell

The elder statesman in the line-up but he retains enthusiasm and won at Southwell (5f, AW) in April; has made the frame all five starts since; has a good record over this C&D and could be the answer.

11/2

4th

5

(8)

12th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

0m 5f 42y

Class 5

16:55 Yarmouth

Han Solo Berger

9st 10lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Robert Cowell

led

7/1

OUR TIP

7/2

Form: 395561 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
0-5 on turf but took his record on AW to 4-5 when scoring over trip just shy of 5f at Southwell last time; already a C&D winner but draw more of a worry than subsequent 4lb rise for this prominent-racer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(7)

24th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

18:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

High Velocity

9st 6lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: David Loughnane

All four wins on the AW (rated 4lb higher than on turf) including one over C&D; went close at Redcar (5f, good to firm) on his penultimate start, but is without a success since August 2022; others make greater appeal.

10/1

7

(4)

30th Sep 2024

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

High Velocity

9st 6lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: David Loughnane

Did well to go close at Redcar (5f) two weeks ago considering he probably didn't have the ideal track position; now 0-9 for current yard and 7lb higher back on AW but still looks well treated on historical data.

7/1

2nd

7

(9)

17th Sep 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

15:43 Redcar

High Velocity

9st 8lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: David Loughnane

Four AW wins for previous yard; 0-8 for current stable and has the same record on turf but he ran encouragingly on his most recent start in this sphere; attractively weighted.

7/1

9/1

Form: 379147 CD

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Good strike rate (3-6) over this C&D and although below best from lower turf mark on last two starts, will likely appreciate the return to this track; should give a good account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(2)

8th Nov 2022

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

21:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Lucky Ava

9st 6lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Conrad Allen

prominent

7/1

8th

2

(6)

29th Sep 2022

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Lucky Ava

9st 10lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Conrad Allen

pressed leader on outer, pushed along from under 2f out, ridden and no response over 1f out, eased inside final furlong

9/1

Form: 57-777 CD

Last run: 85 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Dual C&D winner in April last year but only one win since and soundly beaten all three outings this time round; 7lb lower than last AW run but best watched after break from ordinary draw.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

16

(2)

15th May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 160y

Class 6

17:00 Bath

Autumn Flight

9st 0lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Phil McEntee

Two wins in first spell with this trainer but recent runs in second not up to scratch; weakened out of it behind a couple of these at Brighton then finished two places behind Lion Ring at Lingfield.

20/1

8th

16

(2)

15th May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 160y

Class 6

17:00 Bath

Autumn Flight

9st 0lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Phil McEntee

Two wins in first spell with this trainer but recent runs in second not up to scratch; weakened out of it behind a couple of these at Brighton then finished two places behind Lion Ring at Lingfield.

20/1

10/1

Form: 039665 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Won first two starts at this track and although yet to win a handicap, he wasn't beaten far returned to turf last time; well drawn but might have to drop a bit further in the weights before returning to winning ways.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(1)

22nd Oct 2022

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Shanko

9st 9lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Stuart Williams

led, pushed along and headed over 1f out, ridden and weakened inside final furlong

16/1

10th

7

(4)

29th Sep 2022

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Shanko

9st 5lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Stuart Williams

raced freely, pressed leader, lost position and prominent from under 4f out, pushed along from over 2f out, dropped to rear and weakening when carried right over 1f out (jockey said gelding ran too free)

10/1

5th

3

(3)

13th Sep 2022

Good To Soft

0m 5f 42y

Class 4

17:03 Yarmouth

Shanko

9st 10lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Stuart Williams

raced far side, led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and drifted right when groups merged over 1f out, soon headed, no extra final 110yds, lost fourth final strides

14/1

Form: 210431 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Has won two of five starts for this yard (both at Wolverhampton) and career-best effort last time; however, 7lb higher on first run here with a double-figure draw to overcome.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(8)

5th Jun 2023

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Obtain

9st 3lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Amy Murphy

C&D winner in March 2022; 5f winner here last September (blinkered for the first time) when she ran on strongly; down the field in three runs since, tailed off at Doncaster 16 days ago on her first run after wind surgery; hopes pinned on the return to Wolverhampton working the oracle; blinkers replaced cheepieces today.

8/1

16th

9

(8)

20th May 2023

Good

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

19:50 Doncaster

Obtain

9st 2lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Amy Murphy

Two-time AW winner (6f/5f), the latest last September, and she returns from a break having had wind surgery; however, she wasn't at her best the last twice (stable debut latest) and needs to get back on track.

20/1

8th

1

(1)

11th Jan 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Obtain

10st 2lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: Amy Murphy

She won twice at Wolverhampton for Alice Haynes last year, notably a 5f handicap success in September; not quite so good back there the following month; sold for 21,000gns in November; cheekpieces the headgear of choice on this stable debut (has won in them before).

12/1

Non-runners

Obtain

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £75.60
Straight Forecast £81.90
Tricast £2928.82
Trifecta £2823.00

Selections

LAMBOURN:

Nelson Gay

NEWMARKET:

Obtain

SPOTLIGHT:

Miss Nay Never

RP Ratings:

Han Solo Berger

TOPSPEED:

Shanko

Daily Mirror:

High Velocity

Daily Express:

Lucky Ava

POSTDATA:

Yimou

Telegraph:

Obtain

The Guardian:

Nelson Gay

Daily Mail:

Nelson Gay

The Sun:

Nelson Gay

The Star:

Nelson Gay

Daily Record:

Nelson Gay

THE NORTH:

Miss Nay Never

The Times:

Han Solo Berger