Expert analysis of a fascinating middle-distance clash to light up Monday

Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Floodlit Stakes (Listed Race) | 1m3f219y | 3yo+ | RTV

Not all five-runner Listed races are created equal but this has the potential to be a gem of the genre, with each runner having plenty of supporting evidence to back up their claims, as well as at least one drawback.

Godolphin’s Loxley ran to an RPR of 112 when a well-beaten second in this race 12 months ago and it would be something of a disappointment if a similar effort were to prove good enough.

The son of New Approach is undoubtedly capable of much better than that, and his defeat of Defoe two starts ago in the Group 2 Dubai City of Gold is arguably the standout piece of form among any of the five this year.

Whether he has made the sort of progress likely to be required from his reappearance effort when last of six at Newmarket in September is a key question.

Alounak is the highest rated of the five runnersCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Andrew Balding-trained Alounak is another whose best form would make him hard to beat, most recently when finding only Fanny Logan too strong in the Hardwicke Stakes.

Although he doesn’t come across as the most reliable, there have been excuses for a couple of below-par efforts since, while at the age of five he now encounters an all-weather surface for the first time.

Balding also runs Tribal Craft, who is one of three in the race who are progressing up the ranks, although the balance of her form suggests minor rather than major black type could be the order of the day.

Kirstenbosch is almost completely unexposed and deserves plenty of credit for the horses she had in behind her when second to Enable in the September Stakes over course and distance.

Kirstenbosch (blue sleeves and cap) chases the mighty Enable in the September Stakes at KemptonCredit: Mark Cranham

The hardest to weigh up is Palavecino, who has been progressing up the handicap ranks at around this trip on the all-weather and quick turf. He arguably found things happening a little bit fast for him when ninth in the Cambridgeshire.

Although he has 9lb and 10lb respectively to find with Loxley and Alounak on official ratings, he remains open to further improvement and looks one of the more likely to take advantage should both still be below their best.

What they say

Alastair Donald, racing manager to King Power Racing, owners of Alounak
We probably made the wrong call to run at Newbury. He was beaten fairly early on and Silvestre [de Sousa, jockey] gave him an easy time after that. It looks a pretty wide-open race and on his best form he should be the one to beat, although he has been a little bit in and out. He ran well at Goodwood when he got no run and I don’t think he was suited by the track at Newmarket, while he had excuses on the ground last time.

Brian Meehan, trainer of Palavecino
I think this is a great spot for him. We'll play it by ear pace-wise, as possibly we just rushed him up a little bit in the Cambridgeshire. We won’t do that again and I couldn’t be happier with his condition.

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