4.00 Kempton: the Listed race you cannot afford to miss on Monday

4.00 Kempton
Matchbook Floodlit Stakes (Listed) | 1m4f | 3yo+ | RTV

Why is it interesting?

John Gosden runs two in his bid to secure the majority of the £50,000 prize-money on offer for this Listed contest, and Royal Line looks to have a big chance after finishing third in the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day at Ascot.

Royal Line is partnered by Robert Havlin and returns to Kempton after his course-and-distance win in the Group 3 September Stakes.

Harry Bentley rides Weekender, Gosden’s other runner, with the jockey looking to improve on his record of four wins from ten rides for the Newmarket-based trainer.

William Haggas runs triple Group 3 winner Young Rascal, who makes his first appearance since being gelded after two disappointing runs in the spring.

Young Rascal looks to return to form for William Haggas after being gelded in the summerCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Last Winter, who was runner-up in a Grade 1 in South Africa in January 2018, makes his second start for Sir Michael Stoute after finishing last of six in the Fortune Stakes at Sandown, while the Charlie Appleby-trained Loxley is in search of his first win since landing the Grand Prix de Deauville last year.

Spirit Of Appin bids to follow up her Muhaarar Stakes victory at Newmarket for Brian Meehan. Three-year-old filly Mina Vagante takes a big step up in grade for Hugo Palmer.

What do the stats say?

Since being introduced in 2006, this race has had a number of high-profile winners, with subsequent Group 1 scorers Spanish Moon, Mastery, Prince Bishop and Pether’s Moon among the roll of honour.

Royal Line’s trainer John Gosden and jockey Robert Havlin combined to take this with Western Hymn in 2016. With 18 winners from 51 runners, Kempton has been the scene of regular success for Gosden this year.

Western Hymn won the Floodlit Stakes for John Gosden in 2016Credit: Edward Whitaker

Godolphin landed the prize every year between 2009 and 2012 and Loxley bids to add to their haul. Adam Kirby, who has had 20 winners at Kempton this year, takes the ride.

Louis Steward rides Last Winter, with the jockey looking to build on his strike-rate for trainer Sir Michael Stoute, for whom he has had nine winners from 35 rides this year.

What do connections say?

Robert Havlin, rider of Royal Line and regular partner of Weekender
Royal Line has been training well, but it looks a hot race. It’s a big help that he’s got that win on the all-weather as he loves soft ground. We’re hoping for a big run. I rode Weekender for his last two pieces of work and he’s been training nicely.

Brian Meehan, trainer of Spirit Of Appin
She’s in good shape. I was delighted with her performance at Newmarket and she’s been a real improver this year. Hopefully she’ll be able to continue that into next year.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Mina Vagante
She’s got a nice draw but has a minimum of 25lb to find on the rest of them. She’s a homebred of the owners from a good family, and this will be her last run before she retires to stud. If she were to finish third it’d be absolutely wonderful. She’s fit and well so we’ll give it a swing.

What do our tipsters say?

With five of the field rated at least 110 by the handicapper, this Listed race is stronger than a good few Group races run throughout the course of the year. Preference is for Young Rascal, who will have very good prospects of seeing off main danger Royal Line if recapturing anything resembling last season's very good form back from a break now. Encouragingly, William Haggas has been talking about a potential big-race assignment for Young Rascal in Hong Kong next month.
Mel Cullinan

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