Third Race 6.00pm

THE ILLUMINATE CHRISTMAS BALL FILLIES’ HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 5)

for three yrs old and upwards fillies and mares x Total race value £10000 Owners Prize Money. 1st £4011, 2nd £2005, 3rd £1003, 4th £501, 5th £240, 6th £240. (Penalty Value £5076)

colours no horse age st- lb Draw

BETS AVAILABLE ON THIS RACE

CITY SELECTIONS A chance is taken on FIORINA to finally get off the mark if she’s been freshened up by break. George Boughey’s filly has shown enough to suggest she can win off this sort of figure and if wind surgery has the desired effect, she could be the one to side with. This looks easier than the handicaps Victoria Grove has contested so far so she’s one to consider, while Falesia Beach is another to take seriously in first-time cheekpieces.

FIORINA

VICTORIA GROVE Leading course trainer (17-22): C & M Johnston (82 wins from 478 runners, 17%) runs WADACRE GRACE Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): C & M Johnston (9 wins from 87 runners, 10%) runs WADACRE GRACE Longest Traveller: WADACRE GRACE trained by C & M Johnston, Middleham, 230 miles.

Br Breeding O Owner B Breeder J Jockey T Trainer S Sponsor

1 ALPHA CRU (IRE) (23) 330130 D 4 10-2 (3)

Br Ch f Australia - Solfege Ben Robinson J

O Mr S. Morris

David O’Meara, Upper Helmsley T B ATE Farms & Kinane Bloodstock Gain Equine Nutrition S TIMEFORM VIEW Respectable eighth of 15 in handicap (22/1) at Pontefract (8f, good) 23 days ago. Makes polytrack debut. Can give a good account. TFRHHHII BHA77 2 GODDESS OF FIRE (GB) (13) 5-13300 C D 5 10-0 (5)

Br B m Toronado (IRE) - Burnt Fingers (IRE) O Mr M. M. Foulger

Darragh Keenan J John Ryan, Newmarket T B Miss G. Abbey Bred Thorough Ltd S TIMEFORM VIEW Latest win at Yarmouth in April. Only seventh of 8 in handicap at Yarmouth (10.1f, good, 22/1) 13 days ago. Back down in trip. Cheekpieces refitted so this course winner could bounce back. TFRHHHII BHA75 3 VICTORIA GROVE (GB) (56) 42-2155 3 9-13 (1)

Br B f Siyouni (FR) - Baltic Best (IRE) Ross Coakley J

O Mr Peter Spiller

Henry Spiller, Newmarket T B Fittocks Stud CG Asset Management S TIMEFORM VIEW Winner at Lingfield in June. 6/1, last of 5 in handicap at Newmarket (8f, good) 56 days ago. Needs to get back on track. TFRHHHII BHA77

4 FIORINA (GB) (106) 64-2664 3 9-11 (6)

Br B f Showcasing - Bird Key O Ed Babington & Whitsbury Manor Stud Harry Davies (3) J George Boughey, Newmarket T

B Whitsbury Manor Stud TIMEFORM VIEW 16/1, good fourth of 12 in handicap at Newcastle (8f). Off 106 days but she still merits consideration. TFRHHHHI BHA75 5 LUCKYBOYLOVELYWIFE (GB) (43) 361054 3 9-10 (8)

Br B f Oasis Dream - Iridescence Neil Callan J

O Middleham Park Racing I & Partners

Marco Botti, Newmarket T B Hungerford Park Stud Middleham Park Racing S TIMEFORM VIEW Winner at Beverley in June. Respectable fourth of 10 in handicap at Newmarket (7f, good to soft, 28/1) 43 days ago, having run of race. In the mix. TFRHHHII BHA74 6 WADACRE GRACE (GB) (18) 650-10

Br B f Brazen Beau (AUS) - Glenreef O Wadacre Stud 3 9-5 (7)

Franny Norton J Charlie & Mark Johnston, Middleham T B Wadacre Stud Johnston Racing Ltd, 3CERT Limited S TIMEFORM VIEW Lightly-raced winner. Winner at Newcastle in September. Only tenth of 11 in handicap at Newcastle (7.1f, 7/2) 18 days ago though so more is required. TFRHHHII BHA69 7 FALESIA BEACH (GB) (22) 343215 BF 3 9-4 (4)

Br Ch f Twilight Son - Retake O Mrs Suzanne Williams & Partner

Charles Bishop J Jonathan Portman, Upper Lambourn T B Kingwood Stud Pump Technology Limited S TIMEFORMVIEWWinneratChepstowinAugustandbackeditupwithagoodfifthof11inhandicap(3/1)atKempton (7f) 22 days ago. Cheekpieces on 1st time. Has to be taken seriously eased 1lb. TFRHHHHH BHA68

O Nick Bradley Racing 19

Alice Haynes, Newmarket T B S.C.E.A. Ecurie Haras Du Cadran et al Tattersalls, Colourpin S TIMEFORM VIEW 13/2, below form seventh of 14 in handicap at Yarmouth (8f, good to firm) 23 days ago. Makes polytrack debut. Cheekpieces on 1st time. Needs a couple of these to falter. TFRHHIII BHA68

DECLARED RUNNERS 8 2021: RHYME SCHEME (IRE) 4 8 2 Theodore Ladd 16-1 (Michael Appleby) 9 ran Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn first time by No. 7, 8. Visor worn by No. 1. Hood, Tongue Strap worn by No. 8. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 2. Running for the first time since Wind Surgery No. 4. Stewards Note: WADACRE GRACE: Following its run on 20/9/2022 it was reported that the trainer could not explain the poor run.

Probable S.P’s: 5-2 Falesia Beach (GB), 6-1 Nurseclaire (FR), 7-1 Fiorina (GB), 15-2 Wadacre Grace (GB), 17-2 Alpha Cru (IRE), 9-1 Victoria Grove (GB), Luckyboylovelywife (GB), 18-1 Goddess of Fire (GB)

PLAY SMARTER FALESIA BEACH is able to race off a 1lb lower mark than when a good Kempton fifth so can add to her recent Chepstow success. Fiorina has a break to overcome but is handily weighted and feared most ahead of Alpha Cru and Goddess of Fire.

TIMEFORM PREDICTION: 1.FALESIA BEACH 2.FIORINA 3.ALPHA CRU (IRE)

RACE RESULT TIME:

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2nd DISTANCE:

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4th