1

Escobar

This veteran won this in 2019 though off an easier handicap mark than he has now. Another Ascot victory came this month when he surged from the back to beat 16 rivals.

2

Migration

Returned after a 206-day break to almost land a surprise victory under top weight in a Newbury handicap in April. Has had another absence since, but that might not be an issue.

3

Accidental Agent

The shock winner of a G1 over this course and distance back in 2018. Now a veteran handicapper who occasionally wins, with respectable runs at Ascot on his last three starts.

4

Tyrrhenian Sea

His three wins all came on all all-weather surfaces, but there has been nothing wrong with his last two starts, not beaten far in hot turf handicaps. Remains on a workable handicap mark.

5

Johan

Has only raced twice since winning a prestigious handicap – also over a straight 1600m – at Doncaster in March. Chances if repeating effort that but didn’t make a big impact in this race in 2021.

6

Magical Morning

Kept on strongly to finish third – at long odds – in this handicap last year. He hasn’t made much impact in his last three starts but is not without hope back here.

7

Bashkirova

Another live contender from the Haggas stable who won this race last year.  She likes soft ground and the fast ground won’t have suited her when sixth in a G3 last time. Has had a break since then.

8

Stormy Antarctic

Has won nine times, going back to 2015, including at G2 level and not beaten far in a G1 over this straight 1600m back in 2018. Still capable of some good efforts in handicaps on slow ground.

9

Montatham

Last seen when a big priced outsider in this race last year, well beaten. Off a 5lb easier handicap mark now, and he has twice won off a lengthy absence before.

10

Shelir

Led for some of the trip, eventually finishing seventh, in this handicap in 2021. The winner of one race since, with his best chance coming on a slow surface.

11

Rhoscolyn

Has failed to win in his last 18 starts but he invariably runs in valuable well contested handicaps, including a close third of 29 at Royal Ascot in June. Tends to challenge late.

12

Sweet Believer

Has only raced once this season, splitting two highly-rated horses on soft ground in Listed company at Sandown last month. Escobar, in third, has won a big Ascot handicap since. Chance.

13

Blue For You

The stable have won this twice in recent years. Didn’t have a great passage here early this month, but had won a valuable York handicap over 1575m the time before. Has quite a stiff handicap rating now.

14

Symbolize

An outsider, but ran right up to his best when second in this tough handicap last year. Competes off a 2lb lower handicap mark this time though well beaten in two starts at this track in 2022.

15

Astro King

Two previous runs at Ascot, both strong efforts in big fields over this straight 1600m. Last seen when performing poorly in July, without an obvious excuse. Best on good or faster ground.

16

Tacarib Bay

One of his best performances came over this course and distance when – rallying late on – he finished second here in July. His two career wins have come on soft ground.

17

Casanova

Beaten in his last 13 starts but there have been some near misses this season from this Irish-trained gelding.  A respectable fourth in a G3 at Tipperary earlier this month.

18

Safe Voyage

Won 13 times in 44 starts including at G3 and G2 level. Underperformed here this month but had almost won a valuable 1400m Leopardstown handicap previously.

19

Perotto

Won a major Royal Ascot handicap in 2021. Beaten in all 12 starts since but would be leniently handicapped if returning to his best.

20

Orbaan

In top form when winning at Goodwood and here at Ascot in recent months – charging from the back each time. Only just failed back at Goodwood last time. Adaptable but best on slow ground.

Reserves

21

Mums Tipple

Has never quite lived up to a stunning victory at York as a two-year-old but he’s still a smart handicapper. Second on his last three starts, two of them here, but some worries about his stamina for 1600m.

22

Montassib

Proved that he could handle slow ground when easily winning a Goodwood handicap in May. Running consistently well despite tougher handicap marks since.

23

Bopedro

Decisively beat 26 rivals in a valuable handicap at The Curragh last year when Irish trained. Not so good since moving to the UK but his trainer does have a strong record in this race.