14:50 Kempton

Monday 6 November 2017

All13:2013:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:20

32Red Floodlit Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 2m 31.91s

(7)

Western Hymn^b⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 108| CD

9/2

Talented if quirky sort, won the Ormonde Stakes at Chester on reappearance in May but has struggled since, albeit in strong contests. Is 2-2 at this track, including this contest 12 months ago and return to form cannot be ruled out.

Form: 1-17400

(3)

Connecticut³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 110| D

11/2

Group 2 winner in Turkey in September 2015 and didn't run badly at Newmarket (1m4f, good to soft) in Listed contest 38 days ago considering it was a first run in more than two years. Would have solid claims if able to replicate old form.

Form: 39151/5

(1)

Dylan Mouth⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: A Kirby| T: M Botti| OR: 110| D

11/2

Group 1 winner in Italy, back to something close to his best when scoring in 1m4f fast ground Haydock handicap in July. Well held in Newbury Group 3 on sole start since and should be more than capable of a challenge in this line-up.

Form: 573710

(4)

Red Verdon^b²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: P J McDonald| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 106| D

8/1

Fourth in the 2016 Grand Prix de Paris and fourth in the Irish Derby. Several pounds below that level this term and has something to find with blinkers going back on.

Form: 574263

(6)

Soldier In Action²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Jim Crowley| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 107| D

16/1

Useful middle-distance performer who normally holds his own in competitive handicaps. Won over 1m6f on soft ground at Goodwood in the summer, not quite as good since and something to prove against prove AW performers.

Form: 231056

(8)

Best Of Days^p,t³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: W Buick| T: H Palmer| OR: 106

2/1

Smart juvenile who won the Royal Lodge at Newmarket last season, struggling a bit in tough company this term but bounced back into form with close third in Listed Newmarket contest over 1m4f last time. First time on the AW, holds good claims.

Form: 21-0343

(2)

Crimson Rock²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: R Kingscote| T: R M Beckett| OR: 84

20/1

Winner of maiden at Newbury in October 2016 in sole juvenile start, off the best part of a year before being readily outclassed in Listed Fillies' contest at Newmarket recently. Stiff ask on AW bow seemingly.

Form: 1-0

(5)

Titi Makfi³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 100

12/1

Progressive filly has nurtured the winning habit this year with five wins from nine starts and out of the money just twice, didn't quite cut it at Listed level last time at Yarmouth (1m2f, soft) in Fillies' contest, bit to find with some of these.

Form: 521263

Forecasts

Best Of Days (2/1), Western Hymn (9/2), Dylan Mouth (11/2), Connecticut (11/2), Red Verdon (8/1), Titi Makfi (12/1), Soldier In Action (16/1), Crimson Rock (20/1)

BEST OF DAYS has always had plenty of promise and got back on track last time with a solid third in Listed company on turf at Newmarket behind the talented Frontiersman. That should leave Hugo Palmer's charge in good stead for this AW debut and if he takes to the surface a bold bid looks assured. Last year's winner Western Hymn has toiled since his reappearance success at Chester in May but could easily bounce back now in attempts to protect his perfect 2-2 record here. In an open heat, Dylan Mouth and Connecticut, both Pattern-race winners on the continent, are also respected.