1

Alounak

A five times winner but performed poorly last time. Some good and less good runs at this track. Unlikely to get a helpful slow surface.

2

Raymond Tusk

Chances if repeating his good second in a Newbury G3, but ran poorly at Newmarket subsequently.

3

Stowell

Ran really well in a G2 over this course and distance last June. Two solid efforts this year. Handicap debut.

4

Okita Soushi

Lightly raced colt whose 2022 return when second at The Curragh last month was very encouraging.

5

Cleveland

Lightly raced but with a touch of class as he showed with a prestigious handicap win over further last time. Likely to be well fancied.

6

Pita Pinta

Easily best career effort came last time when second in a Listed event. A tough handicap mark now and looks to want slow ground.

7

Benaud

Withdrawn

8

Red Verdon

This tough well-travelled veteran hasn’t been at his best lately, but he’s a ten-time winner and his handicap mark is easing.

9

Quenelle D’Or

Led throughout to win a Listed event at Saint Cloud on her penultimate start. Career high handicap mark but has won after a break before.

10

Not So Sleepy

Has some high class form over hurdles, including at Ascot. Also a decent handicapper on the Flat. Usually closes late.

11

Juan de Montalban

Second in last year’s Italian Derby and burst clear to win a handicap here last month. Tougher handicap mark and longer trip.

12

Alright Sunshine

Good runs last two starts, responding to jockey pressure to finish strongly. A 6lb lower mark than when eighth in this in 2020.

13

Get Shirty

His trainer now looks to have found the key to him and, twice a winner lately, could still be nicely handicapped. Yet to encounter fast ground.

14

Platinumcard

Has improved since joining this top Irish stable, winning over hurdles. Chance if progress continues in this different discipline.

15

Island Brave

Likes to challenge late and is best on fast ground. Some solid efforts in group races at Meydan earlier in 2022.

16

Bandinelli

Possible excuses for a flop last time. Won two fast-ground turf handicaps last year, positively ridden each time. No trip worries.

17

Danehill Kodiac

Last win was a front-running display in a G3 here, back in 2017. Quite promising after a long absence here last month.

Reserves

18

On To Victory

Encouraging that he has run two of his best races on his only runs here but can blow the start as he did on his 2022 return.

19

Gold Maze

Beaten 8L in this last year but does at least compete off a 4lb lower mark this time. He ran quite well here last month.