1

Bin Battuta

Began his career over just 1200m, and yet to race over this far. Having his first start since some fair efforts at Meydan, he won a well-contested 2000m handicap on the Chelmsford all-weather surface last month. This represents a very different challenge.

2

Capri

Had some very strong G1 winning efforts two seasons ago, including victory in the St Leger, a UK Classic race. However his form has tailed off and is without a win since 2018. Stormed off in front in a G3 at The Curragh last time, but ran right out steam in the straight.

3

Cleonte

A very strong stayer and in a Royal Ascot handicap in June he won the longest race in the UK calendar. However he looks very vulnerable here especially as he is not very happy on slow ground.

4

Kew Gardens

Twice a G1 winner notably in last year’s Doncaster Classic, the St Leger. Second on all three starts this season he is a consistent horse who steps up to his longest trip so far, a bit of a worry especially as he is not ideally suited by soft ground.

5

Max Dynamite

Very versatile, and the Irish-trained gelding has finished 2nd and 3rd in past runnings of the Melbourne Cup. A veteran now but continues to show he can still gallop and was 3rd to the mighty Stradivarius at Doncaster last time.

6

Mekong

Has some good form on very slow ground, including a runaway victory in a Haydock handicap last year. Hasn’t won in four starts this season, but two of those performances would give him solid each-way chances here.

7

Royal Line

Travelled strongly and then showed determination to continue his upward climb when winning a G3 over 2399m on the Kempton all-weather track last month. Happy on slow ground, outclassing a big field in a prestigious end-of-season staying handicap last November. Progressive, with hopes of thriving at this longer trip.

8

Stradivarius

Unbeaten this season and last season this extraordinary stayer will start a red-hot favourite to repeat his 2018 victory in this race. His great quality is his tremendous fighting spirit, sometimes looking beaten but then galloping his rivals into submission.  Muddy ground could be a problem but he handles soft ground perfectly well.

9

Withhold

Has landed gambles in some major staying handicaps notably at Newmarket in 2017. Returned from wind surgery to win two of his three starts this season and outgalloped four decent rivals from front over 3200m at Newmarket last time. Some ground worries if it is very soft.

10

South Pacific

The surprise winner of a prestigious Royal Ascot handicap in June. However he was nearly 10 lengths behind Stradivarius in a G1 at Goodwood in July – his last start – and very hard to imagine him reversing that form here.