Ninth Race 8.30pm

THE ILLUMINATE CHRISTMAS BALL NURSERY HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 4)

for two yrs old 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 st- lb Draw

BETS AVAILABLE ON THIS RACE

CITY SELECTIONS MICHAELA’S BOY is hard to oppose given the manner of his success over this trip at Newcastle in October, and even the 8lb higher mark may not be enough to stop him from following up. Tephi has been tremendously consistent so far and again rates as a player, but she was also engaged to run at Kempton yesterday. Grace Angel is another with compelling claims after making all in first-time blinkers at Southwell last month and she is feared most with the headgear retained.

MICHAELA’S BOY

Grace Angel Leading course trainer (17-22): M Appleby (76 wins from 639 runners, 12%) runs MICHAELA’S BOY Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): D Evans (2 wins from 13 runners, 15%) runs DEMOCRACY DILEMMA and EROSION RISK Longest Traveller: DEMOCRACY DILEMMA & EROSION RISK trained by D Evans, Abergavenny, 214 miles.

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

1 MICHAELA’S BOY (IRE) (37) 302041 D 9-10 (6)

Br Ch c Ribchester (IRE) - Joyce Compton (IRE) Jason Hart J

O Newtownstewart Construction UK Ltd

Michael Appleby, Oakham T B Redpender Stud Ltd Craig Group Ltd S TIMEFORMVIEW13/8,hadplentyinhandwhenwinning6-runnernurseryatNewcastle(5f)37daysago,makingall. Makes polytrack debut. Not long with this yard and may do better still. TFRHHHHH BHA86 2 DEMOCRACY DILEMMA (IRE) (17) 321605 D 9-7 (2)

Br B g Cotai Glory - Majestic Alexander (IRE) O Mr K. McCabe

Darragh Keenan J David Evans, Abergavenny T B Mountarmstrong Stud Emma Evans Racing Ltd S TIMEFORM VIEW Considerate return when fifth of 6 in nursery (5/1) at Wolverhampton (5.1f) 17 days ago, late headway but not knocked about. Makes polytrack debut. One to note with the visor back on. TFRHHHII BHA83 3 GRACE ANGEL (GB) (15) 213221 D

Br B f Harry Angel (IRE) - Sparkle O Mr R. Nugent B ORS Bloodstock 9-5 (5)

Jason Watson J Darryll Holland, Newmarket T

TIMEFORM VIEW Blinkered for 1st time, career best when winning 7-runner nursery (3/1) at Southwell (5f) 15 days ago, comfortably. Handicapper had a swipe but she should go well again if the headgear has the same effect today. TFRHHHII BHA81 4 OMNIQUEEN (GB) (16) 1005 D 9-4 (7)

Br Ch f Tasleet - Royal Blush O Amo Racing and Omnihorse Racing

Kevin Stott J David Loughnane, Tern Hill T B D. R. Tucker Sports Invest UK Ltd, Amo Racing Limited S TIMEFORMVIEW200,000gnsbreeze-uppurchasewhomadeawinningdebutin5fAscotmaideninMay.Shapedasifneedingtherunafter4months off when fifth of 14 in minor event at Newcastle (5f) 16 days ago and more is required now moving into handicaps. TFRHHIII BHA80 5 ROCKING ENDS (GB) (102) 031010 D

Br Gr g Havana Grey - Copper Penny O Mr Colin Westley B Fiona Marner Bloodstock 9-3 (9)

William Carson J Brett Johnson, Epsom T Tote S TIMEFORM VIEW 2 wins from 6 runs this year. Latest win at Lingfield in July. 11/2, not in same form when last of 8 on nursery debut at Sandown (5f, good to firm) 3 months ago, weakening final 1f. TFRHHHII BHA79 6 EROSION RISK (IRE) (24) 6326 9-2 (8)

Br B g Dandy Man (IRE) - Kadesh (IRE) O Mrs Karen OToole

Jordan Williams (5) J David Evans, Abergavenny T B Mrs A. Hughes Emma Evans Racing Ltd S TIMEFORMVIEWLightly-racedmaiden.5/1,belowformafter4monthsoffwhensixthof9inminoreventatWolverhampton (5.1f) 24 days ago. Others make more appeal on handicap debut. TFRHHIII BHA78 7 DIOMED SPIRIT (GB) (72) 6152 D

Br B g Charm Spirit (IRE) - Dainty Dandy (IRE) O Diomed Racing and Partner 8-13 (3)

Daniel Muscutt J Stuart Williams, Newmarket T

B Mogeely Stud TIMEFORMVIEW Bounced back to form under this rider when second of 6 in nursery at Wolverhampton (5.1f, 5/2) 17 days ago, just failing. Shouldn’t be long in breaking her duck so she’s not taken lightly. Engaged 4.45 Kempton Wednesday. TFRHHHHI BHA74 9 ROYAL MARINER (IRE) (17) 411664

Br B c No Nay Never (USA) - Learza (IRE) O Mr Saeed Manana B Rabbah Bloodstock Limited 8-8 (1)

David Egan J James Tate, Newmarket T

TIMEFORM VIEW Latest win at Lingfield in August. 9/2, back on track when fourth of 6 in nursery at Wolverhampton (5.1f) 17 days ago. TFRHHHII BHA70

DECLARED RUNNERS 9

2021:NO CORRESPONDING RACE Visor worn by No. 2, 9. Blinkers, Tongue Strap worn by No. 3. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 8. Stewards Note: ROCKING ENDS: Following its run on 21/8/2022 it was reported that the horse jumped left leaving the stalls. EROSION RISK: Following its run on 7/11/2022 it was reported that the horse hung right handed.

Probable S.P’s: 10-3 Michaela’s Boy (IRE), 9-2 Grace Angel (GB), 5-1 Tephi (IRE), 17-2 Royal Mariner (IRE), 9-1 Diomed Spirit (GB), 12-1 Democracy Dilemma (IRE), 16-1 Omniqueen (GB), Erosion Risk (IRE), 20-1 Rocking Ends (GB)

PLAY SMARTER The drop back to the minimum trip was right up MICHAELA’S BOY’s street when he bolted up at Newcastle in October and having not been with Mick Appleby long, there could well be more to come. He’s fancied to follow up at the expense of Tephi, who just got going a fraction too late on handicap debut at Wolverhampton last month. Democracy Dilemma is another who should go well with the visor back on.

TIMEFORM PREDICTION: 1.MICHAELA’S BOY (IRE) 2.TEPHI (IRE) 3.DEMOCRACY DILEMMA (IRE)

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