1

Brando

Yet to win from four visits to Ascot and finished 6th in this race in 2017 and 4th last year. Reaching the veteran stage but he came close to a G1 victory (behind Advertise) at Deauville and 4th at Haydock.

2

Cape Byron

Has mostly competed over longer trips than this but this month proved he had the pace for 1200m at the Group level when well in command in the closing stages of a soft-ground G3 here at Ascot, a track he has often shown he is well suited by. 

3

Donjuan Triumphant

Needs slow ground which he will get here and finished a good 3rd of 14 in those conditions in this event last year. Mixed results from this year’s performances, doing best when a closing 2nd in a G3 here earlier this month.

4

Dream Of Dreams

Disappointing on his last two starts but he did get a hefty bump at Haydock last time which may have been the reason. Was only 13th in this race last year but did come close to winning a G1 Sprint at Royal Ascot this year. Versatile groundwise.

5

Keystroke

Didn’t have the best of passages in a G3 over this course and distance this month, considering that his closing 3rd was a good show. Clearly handles slow ground but probably not quite good enough to win this big challenge.

6

Librisa Breeze

His trademark late finish has produced three Ascot victories including on soft ground in this in 2017. However hasn’t won since and there have been some long absences. Near his best again when 2nd at Newbury in August.

7

Make A Challenge

Will be having his 11th start of 2019 but is thriving on the activity and has won five of his six last starts, his last two wins being particularly good. At ease on the heavy ground, he thrashed his seven rivals at The Curragh last weekend and has been supplemented for this.

8

Sands Of Mali

An outsider in this G1 on soft ground last year but grabbed an early lead and was never caught. Way below that form in three starts since and not seen since Royal Ascot. However can’t be written off especially as he has run well after a break before.

9

Speak In Colours

Performed modestly when only 12th in this last year, but all his 2019 runs have been way better than that including when winning a soft ground G3 at The Curragh last month. Another good show when 3rd in a 1400m G1 at Longchamp last time.

10

The Tin Man

Reaching the veteran stage now and earlier in his career twice won G1’s here at Ascot, including this race on good ground in 2016. Returned to close to his best when 2nd to Hello Youmzain at Haydock last month – despite stumbling at the gates.

11

Advertise

Started the season with a big flop in Newmarket’s G1 2000 Guineas but in terrific form since dropping in trip, winning two G1’s. Most recently he responded to strong pressure from jockey Frankie Dettori to win over 1300m at Deauville. He’ll just need to handle anticipated very soft ground.

12

Hello Youmzain

A strong horse who loves soft ground and has developed into an exciting speedster. Most recently he led from gate to wire in a G1 at Haydock, a clear career-best performance. This is only his 8th career start and more improvement is still possible.

13

Khaadem

A strong talented sprinter but he is quirky and sometimes races too keenly. Heavily betted on, he outclassed his rivals under a big weight in a valuable Goodwood handicap in August but he ran a shocker at Haydock last time. Ground worries.

14

Mabs Cross

Some fine performances in G1 sprints but was unable to repeat her G1 Prix de l’Abbaye win of 2018 in this month’s race, though not disgraced – finishing well but never reaching the leaders. Probably better over 1000m than this longer trip.

15

One Master

Her two last wins have come in the 2018 and 2019 G1 Prix de la Foret (1400m) at Longchamp. Clearly in great form after that latest win this month but, dropping to this sprinting trip, her connections will hope desperately that the ground is as soft as possible.

16

Forever In Dreams

Hit a career peak so far when runner-up in a Royal Ascot G1 over this distance in June. However neither of his G1 efforts subsequently have been encouraging as far as this big challenge is concerned.

17

So Perfect

Her last two wins – over this trip in G3’s – came on fast ground. But she handles slower conditions and only had one rival ahead of her when finishing strongly in the prestigious G1 Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp two weeks ago.