APPLEBY AIMS FOR SUCCESS IN KEMPTON CLASH

16:35 Kempton

Charlie Appleby has is stable in fine form, posting five wins from nine in the last two weeks on an all-weather surface, and runs LOXLEY who looks to be the class horse in this field. He disappointed on return at Newmarket in September, his first run for six months, but is better judged on his defeat of Defoe to win the Group 2 Dubai City Of Gold at Meydan in March and also brings solid Kempton form to the table having placed twice in Listed contests over course and distance. He will likely go off as favourite but is up against a field who all have questions to answer so looks worthy of his place at the head of the market.

Alounak has contested some excellent races but is yet to taste victory in eleven runs and now switches to the all-weather in search for that first visit to the winners' enclosure. If he takes to the surface he could prove the main threat to LOXLEY, although it's worth noting that trainer Andrew Balding hasn't had a winner in over thirty runners over the last couple of weeks.

Kirstenbosch finished a seven-length second to Enable last time out, however still needs to prove himself at this level and over the trip, while Palavecino is two from two at the course but will also find this much tougher having only won in lower grades.

LOXLEY (WIN)

written by Dean Kilbryde