November 21 / 18.00 Chelmsford (AW)

18.00

Standard

Illuminate Christmas Ball Handicap

  • Prize money: £5050.8
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
RTV
View Course
Illuminate Christmas Ball Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Mostly cloudy

15/8 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 381611 CD

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Turned a corner in recent months, winning three of his last four starts (all at this track, two over 1m6f and one over this trip); up 7lb for latest success but he won with ease and further progress could be forthcoming; strong claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(3)

21st Apr 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

18:20 Kempton (AW)

Tradesman

9st 11lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: David Simcock

Has often blown the start and he refused to jump away at all without the usual blinkers (back on here) last month; is capable off this mark but a lot will hinge on his mood and how he handles the stalls.

16/1

3

(3)

21st Apr 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

18:20 Kempton (AW)

Tradesman

9st 11lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: David Simcock

virtually refused to race, always behind

16/1

7

(2)

14th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 4

19:20 Wolverhampton (AW)

Tradesman

9st 0lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: David Simcock

Handles Tapeta but is best known for his Chelmsford work and has three poor efforts to his name here, including one at a short price; is long odds-on to blow the start too, so doesn't come without risk, going without headgear for the first time in ages.

5/1

OUR TIP

7/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 274833

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Still seeking his first win after 17 attempts; trip and track shouldn't be an issue and he holds each-way claims again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

27th Mar 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:57 Warwick

De Vegas Warrior

10st 12lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Henrietta C Knight

Longstanding maiden under both codes but he was running well when crashing out two from home at Taunton 17 days ago (3m, good); enters the reckoning.

7/1

9

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

16:10 Taunton

De Vegas Warrior

10st 11lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Henrietta C Knight

Didn't fire on latest outing but began handicap hurdle career with encouraging thirds at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) and Fakenham (2m7f, good); 4lb lower now and Philip Armson claims 3lb today; could have a say.

12/1

6th

8

3rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

16:20 Southwell

De Vegas Warrior

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Henrietta C Knight

Fair stayer on the Flat (albeit a maiden); third in both handicap hurdles, more recently when upped to 2m7f at Fakenham (good) a fortnight ago, but needs to find something extra here; cheekpieces refitted.

8/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 262141 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
On the up for this yard, winning over 1m6f here in September and adding a C&D event to her tally 24 days ago; that form boosted by the second since; 4lb rise in deeper company today but unexposed at 2m and comes into the reckoning.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(4)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Grand Duchess Olga

9st 5lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

Capable on her day as she showed when beaten a neck (clear of the third) at Wolverhampton (1m6f, Tapeta) on her penultimate start; not the most consistent, though, and has run poorly in both starts over C&D; apprentice-ridden for last 11 starts but Dylan Hogan on board today.

20/1

6th

3

(3)

23rd Jan 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

19:45 Southwell (AW)

Grand Duchess Olga

9st 12lb

J: Chloe Lyons

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

Reasonably consistent mare who is a four-time AW scorer; clear second at Wolverhampton (1m6f) most recently; stays 2m; may remain competitive back up just 2lb.

9/2

33/1

Form: 016367

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Made a successful stable/British debut at Nottingham in May (1m2f, good to firm) but nothing comparable since; too much to prove upped to 2m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(4)

10th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Longuerue

9st 6lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Robert Eddery

midfield but in touch with leaders

20/1

9th

7

(11)

14th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

15:55 Bath

Longuerue

9st 10lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Robert Eddery

Never showed on AW 18 days ago but she'd been delivered with a well-timed run to win an amateur jockeys' race at Yarmouth (1m6f, good to firm) the time before; not the easiest of rides but is capable of going well.

14/1

8th

10

(9)

27th Aug 2024

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

17:05 Lingfield (AW)

Longuerue

10st 0lb

J: Mr Jack Callan

T: Robert Eddery

Proved unsteerable in the race won by Scylla on turf here last month, but with the cheekpieces removed she proved much more amenable when winning under Jack Callan at Yarmouth (1m6f, good to firm) 20 days ago; 3lb higher and shortlisted if in the same mood.

8/1

Form: 469767

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Five-time 1m2f winner on turf; runner-up twice over that trip in June but his form has levelled off more recently; on a dangerous mark but stepping up to 2m isn't sure to suit (late headway over 1m4f the last twice has come in slowly-run affairs).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(11)

4th Nov 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

15:32 Kempton (AW)

Pledge Of Honour

9st 13lb

J: Liam Keniry

T: Dean Ivory

dwelt start, held up in last, outpaced 3f out, never on terms

20/1

8th

3

(11)

4th Nov 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

15:32 Kempton (AW)

Pledge Of Honour

9st 13lb

J: Liam Keniry

T: Dean Ivory

dwelt start, held up in last, outpaced 3f out, never on terms

20/1

7th

6

(9)

24th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Pledge Of Honour

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Dean Ivory

Ended losing run when successful in 1m2f handicap at Windsor in July; well held since and 0-13 on AW as opposed to 6-28 on turf.

16/1

Form: -52333

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Failed to win in ten starts for Sir Mark Prescott, not improving for the step up to 2m when last seen (first run in cheekpieces which are left off now) but still running creditably; changed hands for 20,000gns last month; likely to give her running.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(1)

6th Apr 2024

Standard

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Natacata

9st 2lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

took keen hold, pressed leader, led narrowly after 3f, joined 4f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened

9/2

5th

9

(1)

6th Apr 2024

Standard

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Natacata

9st 2lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

took keen hold, pressed leader, led narrowly after 3f, joined 4f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened

9/2

2nd

7

(2)

2nd Mar 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 6

19:15 Kempton (AW)

Natacata

9st 4lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

15-race maiden but has run with credit in recent starts, second at Chelmsford (2m) before fifth over C&D; place claims.

6/1

12/1

Form: 346256

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
0-6 in handicaps but she's gone close on occasions and today's new, longer trip could be beneficial; each-way claims again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(11)

24th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

16:25 Nottingham

Kehlani

9st 10lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

0-11 in handicaps and seemingly not quite as good as she was last year, but front-running third of six with first-time blinkers at Haydock (1m2f, heavy) last time gives her a place chance.

7/1

3rd

3

(3)

27th Sep 2024

Soft

1m 2f 100y

Class 5

13:43 Haydock

Kehlani

9st 8lb

J: Dominique Van Der Kraats

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

0-10 in handicaps and the promise of her seasonal/stable debut has not been fulfilled in her two starts since, favourite on latest; 5lb claimer is enlisted and the cheekpieces (worn on last seven starts) are replaced by first-time blinkers; unraced on worse than good to soft.

6/1

5th

2

(3)

4th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

15:55 Southwell (AW)

Kehlani

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

0-9 in handicaps and didn't step up from a promising return/stable debut at Windsor (11.4f, good to soft) in April, but she is 5lb lower than when second of 14 here (1m4f) in August last year; could play a part if the return to this track reinvigorates her.

9/2

Form: 652256

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
0-14 but he finished second twice in 2m handicaps on slow turf in September; beaten at long odds-on in one Polytrack run; others preferred for win purposes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

1st Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Worcester

Dragonball Prince

10st 10lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Fair on the Flat but has not shown much over hurdles; pulled up on last month's handicap debut at Southwell (2m, good to soft); moves up in trip and swaps cheekpieces for first-time blinkers.

20/1

11

4th Jun 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

16:50 Southwell

Dragonball Prince

10st 6lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Ordinary maiden on Flat for Hugo Palmer and tailed off in three hurdles on ground ranging from heavy to good to soft; in a respected yard but has it all to prove on handicap debut.

10/1

Form: 5565V1 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the fifth attempt when making all in a four-runner 2m handicap at Lingfield 16 days ago; still has time to do better but such progress will be required in this stronger event.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(2)

16th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 6

20:30 Kempton (AW)

A Poets Secret

9st 12lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Mike Murphy & Michael Keady

led

14/1

6th

1

(6)

30th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 4f 23y

Class 6

15:55 Beverley

A Poets Secret

9st 13lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Mike Murphy & Michael Keady

AW winner over 2m late last year; emerged from the doldrums to finish second behind the favourite earlier this month at Bath (1m3f, good to firm); thereabouts if able to hold his form.

4/1

2nd

1

(8)

3rd Jul 2024

Firm

1m 3f 137y

Class 6

20:45 Bath

A Poets Secret

10st 1lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Mike Murphy & Michael Keady

led, faced challenge 3f out

20/1

Form: 531047 D BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Returned to winning ways when comfortably accounting for ten rivals in a 2m handicap at Kempton in September (Class 6); not so good since but he's feasibly weighted should this be one of his good days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(7)

9th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

13:23 Bath

Sophar Sogood

9st 11lb

J: Sean Levey

T: John Butler

Convincing winner at Catterick (2m, good) in August and following effort was respectable; ran no race last time at Chester but wouldn't be without hope if back on song.

20/1

11th

13

(1)

12th Sep 2025

Good

1m 7f 196y

Class 5

15:50 Chester

Sophar Sogood

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: John Butler

Returned to turf with convincing win at Catterick (2m good) last month and has the plum inside draw here but had to settle for fifth off new mark a fortnight ago and may find younger rivals better handicapped again.

12/1

1

(8)

28th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:40 Ffos Las

Sophar Sogood

10st 2lb

J: Colin Keane

T: John Butler

Five-time AW winner whose success at Catterick (2m, good) three weeks ago was a first win on turf for nearly four years; might need a fraction more up 4lb but that was a pretty convincing success; Colin Keane's first ride for the yard; respected.

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.00
Straight Forecast £10.10
Tricast £53.91
Trifecta £48.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Tradesman

D Express:

A Poet's Secret

The Times:

Natacata

Daily Mirror:

Grand Duchess Olga

RP RATINGS:

De Vega's Warrior

POSTDATA:

Pledge Of Honour

The Sun:

A Poet's Secret

Daily Record:

A Poet's Secret

The Guardian:

Natacata

NEWMARKET:

Tradesman

Telegraph:

Tradesman

Daily Mail:

Tradesman

The Star:

Tradesman