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Richard Hannon is hoping that Illuminate, one of 27 acceptors for the £180,000 Connolly’s RED MILLS Cheveley Park Stakes, can give him a second consecutive victory in this Group 1 prize at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile Racecourse on Saturday, 26th September.
Unbeaten in three career starts, Illuminate is an intended runner in this six furlong contest which Hannon landed in impressive style last season thanks to the brilliant Tiggy Wiggy.
A daughter of Zoffany, she followed up her victory in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot with a narrow defeat of Besharah in the Group 2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket’s Adnams July Course two months ago.
Besharah has gone on to frank that form with a comfortable success in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York, after which her trainer, William Haggas, nominated the Connolly’s RED MILLS Cheveley Park Stakes as her next target.
Other leading candidates among a high class entry include the Lowther Stakes runner-up, Lumiere, and the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes second, Easton Angel, while there is a strong overseas contingent with eight entries from Ireland and two from France.
“Illuminate goes next for the Connolly’s RED MILLS Cheveley Park Stakes – that has been the plan for her since the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes,” said Richard Hannon.
“We felt after that win that she had done enough and deserved a little break rather than carrying a penalty in the Lowther.”
“She’s always been a pleasure to have around and has answered every question. She’s not a complicated ride in any way and Zoffany’s progeny appear to go well on softer ground so rain would not be a concern.”
“I think that the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes is the strongest piece of juvenile filly form so far this year and Illuminate has done very well at home since then.”