1

Motakhayyel

Won a famous Newmarket handicap for the second consecutive year this month, winning it even easier this time. Hit with a 9lb rise, but he’s a real class act who loves fast ground.

2

Danyah

Probably a career-best on his latest start when second of 28 in a Royal Ascot handicap over this trip. This talented gelding is versatile ground wise.

3

Tomfre

A specialist at this trip and on slow ground so rain is required. Started 2021 with two good runs but fast ground at Royal Ascot found him out.

4

Documenting

Beaten a long way in this race in 2019. But he did win a course and distance handicap on good ground last September. He’ll be an outsider here.

5

Shine So Bright

Hasn’t won since 2019 but plenty of places since and decent efforts on all runs this season. Stays this trip and is best on a fast surface.

6

Raising Sand

This Ascot specialist won this prestigious handicap in 2019, now racing off a lower handicap mark after disappointments. Needs slow ground for big chances of a repeat.

7

Matthew Flinders

His two wins have come over longer, but he’s effective over 1401m as he showed when a solid second in a valuable Chester Listed race last time.

8

Aldaary

Looked potentially group class with an impressive win over this course and distance in May. A beaten favourite in two subsequent starts and with a tough handicap mark.

9

Ropey Guest

Having his ninth start at Ascot but yet to win a single race on turf, and he’s hard to fancy.

10

Acquitted

His only turf win came in the mud but he’s effective on better ground, running a good third at Sandown last time. Talented but doesn’t look an easy ride.

11

Dance Fever

Looks best at this trip and on fast ground as he showed with a nice victory at Leicester earlier this month, and that form has been boosted since.

12

Cliffs Of Capri

Amongst his achievements include a shock victory in a valuable Meydan handicap, two Ascot course and distance wins and a second in this race last year.

13

Karibana

Survived a wide trip to win a Chelmsford all-weather handicap two starts back, but that was surrounded by two modest efforts over this course and distance.

14

Tadleel

Most of his career wins have come over this trip but he’s only won one race on a turf surface. However his last two starts (fast ground) have been encouraging.

15

Lord Rapscallion

Only start here was a meritorious fourth in a 2021 Royal Ascot handicap especially as he was mistakenly hit over the head with a whip. Looking well handicapped now.

16

Epic Endeavour

A slow surface has seen his best performances. This three times winner may have found the ground too fast last time.

17

Kimifive

Likes fast conditions and has been unlucky not to win more than three times. Has run quite well at Newmarket on his last two starts.

18

Gabrial The Wire

Despite racing too keenly he proved too strong for 15 rivals in a fast-ground York handicap. Races off a 3lb higher mark here, and has run modestly on his last two starts.

19

Star Of Orion

Well backed at long odds to win a Royal Ascot handicap on his 2021 return. Made no show then but came with a strong charge to win a 1400m Newmarket handicap last week.

20

Marshal Dan

Rarely runs a bad race but was well beaten over this course and distance two starts back, the soft ground probably being to blame. Ran decently at Newmarket this month.

21

Pistoletto

Well beaten on two previous Ascot visits – on slow ground over 1200m. Went close to a shock win in a 1400m Goodwood handicap in June.

22

Starshiba

Almost gained his first turf win – from just five attempts – when only just beaten over 1400m at Goodwood.