'It was a good prep for this' - Tom Ward takes aim at Listed prize with Roman

Monday: 4.05 Kempton
Racing TV Snowdrop Fillies' Stakes (Listed) | 4yo+ | 1m | ITV4/RTV

Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore combined to win this race in 2008 with the Cheveley Park-owned Heaven Sent and the same connections hold a lively chance in this year’s Listed contest with the class-dropping Potapova.

Heaven Sent was making her seasonal reappearance when striking in this mile event 14 years ago, having been beaten at odds-on in the previous season’s Atalanta Stakes, when it held Listed status.

Potapova, although not quite as short a price, was last seen finishing fourth in the now Group 3 contest at Sandown, suggesting that connections could be adopting a tried-and-tested route.

Last year’s winner Lavender’s Blue was also beaten in the previous season’s Atalanta before landing this race, demonstrating that this trend is not wholly out of date, and with Potapova deemed good enough to run in Group 1 company at Royal Ascot on just her third start in the Coronation Stakes, the four-year-old could add to that statistic here.

Lavender’s Blue is one of only three five-year-olds to win the race since its inception in 2004 and was the first for nearly a decade, which does not bode well for Lola Showgirl, the only five-year-old in the field.

Tom Ward is optimistic about the chances of Roman Mist and on the basis of her Fleur de Lys Stakes second two starts back, she holds every chance of providing the fledgling Lambourn trainer with his biggest career win, should she come on from her comeback run at the track at the end of last month.

Flame Of Freedom, for Eve Johnson Houghton, is the only other filly to have had a run this season and is the only course winner in the line-up.

My Astra was a beaten favourite in Listed company in France when last seen but is unbeaten in Britain and if handling the surface could provide William Haggas with a first win in the race, while Romantic Rival is intriguing on her first run for George Boughey.

What they say

David Loughnane, trainer of Lola Showgirl
It's her first run back this year and she usually runs well fresh. She seems to have wintered well and fingers crossed for a decent performance. Our aim is to get some black type before she becomes a broodmare.

Brian O'Rourke, trainer of Magnificence
She's in very good nick. She's much stronger this year, she was too weak physically at two, even physically immature at three, but we think that she's done very well. We are rolling the dice a little on ratings but she won't embarrass herself. I think she'll run a big race.

Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, owner-breeders of Potapova
She's wintered well and appears a lot stronger than she did. We think it's a nice opportunity to get her going. She's a filly we obviously feel there is more to come from seeing that we kept in training. She wasn't beaten far in the Atalanta so she showed she's got ability.

Tom Ward, trainer of Roman Mist
She needed her run last month. She hit the front and got a bit tired late on, but it was a good prep race for this.

GET READY FOR THE 2022 FLAT SEASON WITH OUR BRILLIANT STABLE TOUR SERIES

Over 50% off Racing Post Members' Club! Members' Club is the only subscription racing fans and punters need in order to stay informed and make smarter betting decisions. Features include early access to the Racing Post digital newspaper, exclusive news and interviews, premium tips and form study tools to assist with betting. Select 'Get Ultimate monthly' and enter code TRYME to get your first month for just £14.99* – that's better than half price! Subscribe now If you decide that Members' Club is not for you, then you can cancel at anytime by contacting us.

*Members' Club Ultimate monthly first month will be charged at £14.99, renews at full price thereafter