1

Aikhal

An easy G3 winner over 2000m at The Curragh last year before becoming disappointing since when he has moved to the UK. Seasonal and handicap debut.

2

Jack Darcy

Has run well in some Group and Listed races, but consequently his current handicap rating is challenging. Ran out of gas on his 2023 return, at Goodwood.

3

Teumessias Fox

Hiked another 7lb in the weights but that looks fair considering he delivered a clear career best when dominant in a Newmarket handicap over this trip last month.

4

Lucander

Quickened nicely to win a Local G2 in Bahrain earlier this year. A closer, he was again doing his best work late on when third over this trip at Epsom last time.

5

Live Your Dream

Running at Ascot for the first time. Has often competed over longer trips than this but very nearly won a Haydock handicap this month, his first start for 609 days.

6

Okita Soushi

Twice a winner on the Dundalk all-weather earlier in the year, a hot favourite both times. Never really looked like winning a Leopardstown G3 last time.

7

Global Heat

Winner of a Listed event over further than this at Meydan in January. Has run respectably in two UK handicaps lately, but still looks too high in the weights.

8

White Wolf

Hasn’t managed a turf win so far, his best grass run coming on a slow surface, at Meydan. Showed battling qualities when a close second at Chelmsford last time.

9

Nagano

Having his first start for 664 days, but he was highly progressive in 2021 when he made race-by-race progress and won three of his six starts.

10

Tyson Fury

At least proven over this course and distance, winning a novices’ event here in 2020. Has had some long absences. Hard to fancy.

11

Al Nafir

Won a valuable Newmarket handicap over this trip on his final start of last season. Very well bred and may well be capable of better still despite his higher handicap mark.

12

Maksud

Hasn’t managed to build on the encouragement shown earlier in his career. But he is lightly raced and is certainly better than he showed at Chester last month.

13

Moracana

Responded well to pressure when winning a Listed event over this trip at Cork in April. Slow ground would help her cause.

14

Max Mayhem

Would have chances if in the same form of his Kempton win in April, prior to a dismal effort at Epsom.

15

Haunted Dream

From a stable enjoying a good season, and he was a winner of his only 2023 start when landing a 2000m all-weather handicap in April. Only one previous success on turf.

16

HMS President

Since joining this currently in-form trainer, he has posted two career-best efforts. Most recently, he led in the last strides of a valuable Newmarket handicap. A strong stayer.

17

Aimeric

Being gelded and having wind surgery since last season has clearly helped as surged from the back and then battled on when challenged to win at Doncaster earlier this month.

18

Ajero

Ran a good second in this last year, even if his stamina looked to be running out in the closing stages. Off a higher handicap mark now so this looks tricky.

19

Stay Well

Hasn’t made a big impact in three previous Ascot runs, including in this race last year. Probably needs to drop further down the handicap.

Reserves

20

Magical Morning

Needs to upgrade on recent starts, but perhaps having James McDonald in the saddle for the first time may make some difference. Wants good ground or slower.

21

Omniscient

Has progressed as he has risen in trip, typical of this stable’s strategy. Having his first start since easily winning a Southwell handicap over this distance last October.

22

Prydwen

Well beaten at Newmarket two starts back but much sharper when third in a fast-ground handicap over this trip at Haydock last time.