1

Lord North

Delivered from the back to outclass 29 rivals in a prestigious Newmarket handicap over 1800m last month, having previously run a smart second over this course and distance. Needs to handle a 12lb higher handicap mark but potentially group class.

2

Flaming Spear

A talented but quirky horse who can be reluctant at the gates. Only 11th in this last year but wasn’t far off his very best on his 2019 return in a G2 at Goodwood in July and, though disappointing next time, would now look fairly handicapped if on his game.

3

Kynren

Is consistent but has been frustrating to follow. However he won a big prize over 1400m here this month, strong at the finish suggesting the return to this 1600m will be very suitable. Has a 6lb penalty for that, but handles soft ground well.

4

Arctic Sound

Lightly raced for a horse from this stable but has a bit of class and nearly won a G2 in Cologne back in May. Second in a tactically-run three runner event on the all-weather when returning recently, and he will need to prove himself on slow ground.

5

Kick On

Looks fairly handicapped considering his previous starts have been at a higher level and he was a G3 winner (just in front of a former G1 winner) over this distance at Salisbury on his latest start. He showed a fighting attitude there.

6

Escobar

At big odds for this last year but after coming from the back to lead, he was only caught close home. Not beaten far in any of his last six starts, including here on his last two starts. Tough and consistent but needs to handle a tough handicap mark.

7

Mitchum Swagger

Hasn’t won in five starts this season but comes from a stable in tremendous form. May have found the 1400m too short when beaten into third as favourite last time out. Handles slow ground. Eighth of 20 in this race last year.

8

Dunkirk Harbour

Withdrawn

9

Commander Cole

Has won three of his 12 outings but this will be his first start at Ascot and yet to really prove soft ground credentials. Returning after almost a year absent he twice ran good races at Chelmsford’s all-weather track last month.

10

Pogo

Hasn’t made a huge impact in his three starts at Ascot, though wasn’t beaten far when tenth in a handicap here last month. He responded well to pressure to win a handicap at York on his penultimate start but that was on fast ground.

11

Glen Shiel

Has had a light campaign –  the same profile of some recent winners of this. A proven winner on soft and heavy ground back in France he ran a very encouraging second over this distance at Goodwood last month, only beaten by a well-handicapped rival.

12

Clon Coulis

Easily her best run this season came when she finished a close second of 28 in a prestigious Royal Ascot handicap over this straight 1600m on soft ground back in June. Chances if returning to that sort of form off a similar handicap mark here.

13

Coolagh Forest

He heads into this race off the back of two career best performances. Although those both came at York over longer distances than this he has also won over 1600m and is proven on soft ground. 

14

Amedeo Modigliani

Disappeared for nearly 600 days but has run well in three Listed races this year at this trip and further. Fitted with a hood and tongue strap as he was when returning from another break at Cork this month, unlucky to have a horrendous passage.

15

Chiefofchiefs

Four of his five career wins have come over this distance but some concerns about his ability to handle the anticipated soft ground here. Has had some injury problems but this big field should suit as he needs plenty of cover to produce his best.

16

So Beloved

It is now 41 starts since this veteran last won a race. Though he is still capable of getting close to the winners’ money as his handicap rating has eased, a victory in this hot event would be a huge surprise.

17

Biometric

From a stable having lots of winners, and supporters of this lightly-raced colt will hope that he’s in the same shape as when his powerful surge resulted in victory in the prestigious Britannia Handicap on slow ground here in June.

18

Waarif

An eight times winner and from a stable that deserves a lot of respect in handicaps like this. Beat today’s rival Kynren into second in an Ayr handicap over this distance two starts back. Drying ground would help.

19

Dark Vision

A G2 winner at Goodwood over 1400m last year, but he hasn’t won or achieved the same level since. His three career wins have come on faster ground than is expected here.

20

Saltonstall

Three times a winner, the latest when he responded strongly to pressure to beat 17 rivals in a valuable Galway handicap in July. Some fair efforts since but he looks to have a challenging handicap rating.

21

Circus Couture

He was beaten a long way in this race last year, and has also been soundly beaten in his last two starts. He has plenty of Ascot experience and has sometimes run well here but would not want very soft ground.

Reserves

22

Fifth Position

His only win came on slowish ground. Wasn’t disgraced when eighth of 30 in one of the UK’s most prestigious handicaps at Newmarket last month, and Andrea Atzeni’s mount has been fitted with cheekpieces for this.

23

Humbert

His four wins have all come on all-weather surfaces, and he is 0-9 on grass which is not encouraging for this. Well beaten on recent starts.