1

Migration

Surged from the back to win a prestigious early season handicap over Doncaster’s straight mile. Ran dismally, by contrast, in a G3 at Newmarket subsequently.

2

Tempus

Has tasted success over Ascot’s straight mile, and was also a good third in this last year. Well suited to big-field handicaps.

3

Reach For The Moon

Ran a shocker on his first start since being gelded, in April. Very talented at his best, and second in a G3 at this meeting last year.

4

Imperial Fighter

Only career win in a maiden but he was third in a G1 at The Curragh last year. Some disappointments since and he now finds himself in a handicap, albeit a very good one.

5

Positive

Adaptable tactically and very effective at this trip and on a fast surface. A Kempton winner this year, but his handicap mark doesn’t make life easy.

6

Awaal

Found just one of his 21 rivals too strong in a prestigious handicap over Doncaster’s straight mile in April. Weakened quickly after leading at Longchamp last time. Wants slow ground.

7

Intellogent

Despite being difficult at the gate, he ran a cracker in this last year, almost landing a shock win. Had an unlucky passage last time.

8

Bless Him

May have finished closer than seventh in this last year with a clearer passage, subsequently landing a valuable Newmarket handicap. A closer who is best on fast ground.

9

Jimi Hendrix

Encouraging that his only previous run over this straight mile was a good third of 30, and he also won over Newbury’s straight 1600m in April.

10

Ghaly

Has had some long absences, but seemed at least as good as ever when winning handicaps at York and Newmarket last year. The stable won this in 2021.

11

Blue For You

Led close home when winning a prestigious York handicap over this trip last summer. A tougher handicap mark has made things more difficult.

12

Sonny Liston

Just a fair start for this stable at Newbury last month. Has competed over a variety of trips and surfaces. Hard to weigh up.

13

Astro King

Fourth in this last year, and on a slightly easier handicap mark this time. Likely to have finished closer than fourth at York last time given more luck.

14

Revich

A comfortable soft-ground handicap winner at Chester on his penultimate start. Not so good at Epsom subsequently.

15

Dawn Of Liberation

Twice a winner but having his first start at Ascot. He couldn’t quite get into the closing battle at Chester last time, still quite an encouraging effort.

16

Outbreak

Gained his third career win in a Newmarket handicap over this trip in May. Found things tougher off a 6lb higher mark last time.

17

Dunum

Last season he achieved the rare feat of winning four consecutive handicaps. Two more excellent handicap performances this season. Any ease in the ground would help.

18

Atrium

Suited by this straight mile as he has shown on various occasions with his style being to come fast and late. Will need to improve on his 2023 runs, but it might happen.

19

Orbaan

Mixed fortunes on his many starts at this track, winning over 1400m here last August. Would probably need the ground to turn soft to give him a serious chance.

20

Chasing Aphrodite

Lightly raced but has won three of his six starts including a course and distance victory on his latest start. Wins have come on good and fast ground.

21

Perotto

Winner of a major course and distance handicap here in 2021 and made late headway over 1400m here last month. Well handicapped if at his best.

22

Greatgadian

Beaten in his last eleven starts, though perhaps his best run in that period came when second over this straight mile.

23

Bear Force One

Arrives here fresh from a surprise victory when leading nearly all the way in a handicap over Newbury’s straight 1600m. A big horse who is very good when in the right mood.

24

Ouzo

In action at Meydan earlier in the year, finishing placed in three handicaps over this trip. Finished a good fourth in this back in 2021.

25

Point Lynas

Career best performances when coming close to victory in handicaps at York and Nottingham on his last two starts. Likely to be ridden prominently.

26

Aerion Power

Didn’t make much impact on his only start over this course and distance, but does have winning form over a straight 1600m. A respectable third at Sandown last time.

27

Wanees

The ground was fast when he won on this track in 2021 but he prefers a slower surface. Needs to improve on his two 2023 efforts.

28

Isla Kai

In front for some of the way in this last year, eventually finishing 4l sixth of 29. On an easier handicap this time, though he was well beaten at York last time.

29

Koy Koy

Twice a winner – including at this trip – and gelded since his last start. May need to slip a few pounds in the weights before winning again.

30

Light And Dark

Only one win on turf, and no wins since 2020. Needs to improve plenty on recent efforts but his stable did win this in 2021.

Reserves

31

Dual Identity

First run at Ascot on this 23rd career start. Just fair efforts this year, and he is hard to fancy for the win money.

32

Majestic

Beat 27 rivals in a major UK handicap at Newmarket last September. A higher mark has made things trickier but he was a good second at Epsom this month.

33

Quantico

Lightly raced and his two wins have come on an all-weather surface. Faded out at Sandown last time.