1

Holloway Boy

All three previous Ascot runs were good, and he comes here at the top of his game having narrowly landed a G3 at Haydock last month. This talented gelding handles any ground.

2

Sir Busker

Broke a 13-race losing sequence when landing a high-grade York handicap in August. Reaching the veteran stage now and may really need a longer trip than this.

3

Cicero’s Gift

Had a long absence due to injury but bounced back with a handicap victory over this trip at Sandown. Would need to improve on his three runs since to make an impact here.

4

Witch Hunter

Narrow defeats in a Newbury G2 and a Haydock G3 in recent months are examples of what he is capable of. He sometimes fails to deliver, but chances if in that sort of form.

5

Elnajmm

Back in handicap company after failing to make a significant impact on his Listed debut. A plus is that he won a handicap over this straight 1600m in July, though on fast ground.

6

Popmaster

His handicap mark is slipping to a workable figure and Ascot has been the venue of some of his best performances. Up to 1600m for the first time in career after 39 starts between 1000m and 1400m.

7

Carrytheone

Capable of a strong late surge as he showed when a closing third in a hot handicap here in August. Handles good and slow ground.

8

Daysofourlives

Now on a career high mark after a succession of bold efforts, the best probably being when he justified favouritism in a Doncaster handicap last month.

9

Mr Professor

Off the track since well away from the money in a Royal Ascot handicap. Back in March he had landed a shock win in a prestigious Doncaster handicap, happy on the soft ground there.

10

Thunder Run

Has been in great shape winning three of his last four starts, latterly with a bold front-running display in a valuable York handicap over this trip. The 4lb rise in the weights may not stop him.

11

Bopedro

Not beaten far in fourth in this last year, and off a 6lb easier handicap mark this time. Hasn’t won in 13 starts in 2024 but some solid placed efforts including here last time.

12

Star Of Orion

His three career wins have all come over shorter than this, but perfectly capable over this trip also. Fairly handicapped even he has so far looked best at Newmarket.

13

Alaskan Gold

Will need to improve for the rise to 1600m, not obvious from his pedigree. Well beaten on his first start for this stable but may not have been suited by that all-weather surface.

14

Toimy Son

Has a consistent profile, with gradual signs of improvement also. Third of 31 in a prestigious Newmarket handicap on his latest start suggests he has respectable chances here.

15

Mexicali Rose

Won a valuable handicap at Galway in July and ran to a similar level when third in a Listed race at Tipperary this month. An interesting Irish-trained candidate.

16

Godwinson

Missed the break but still just good enough to win a 1600m handicap at Goodwood in August. Not so good in a red-hot Newmarket handicap last time. More speed from the gate would help.

17

Lattam

Not seen for 114 days but most of his best runs have come after an absence. Seventh in this last year, but not hard to imagine him getting nearer this time.

18

Padishakh

Came close to winning a fast-ground 1600m handicap at Ayr in September but would need to improve plenty on a comprehensive defeat at York this month.

19

State Actor

A lightly-raced 4yo who has thoroughly deserved his rising handicap mark, and his narrow second of 24 at the Curragh last time was another excellent effort for his small Irish stable.

20

Mirsky

From a stable with a great record in this. No significant impact on his last two races, but he came close to landing a surprise win in a prestigious York handicap in August.

Reserves

21

Qirat

Briefly outpaced before finishing strongly into second of 18 over 1400m at Ascot this month, when looking as though this 1600m is the trip he really needs now. A major player.

22

Theoryofeverything

One of five contenders for a stable that have a formidable record in it. No great impact on last two starts but positive that he had swooped from the back to win a soft-ground handicap over this straight 1600m in September.

23

Akkadian Thunder

Won two handicaps this year and was an eyecatching fast-finisher in a 1400m handicap here in September. No stamina worries - he's won over this trip also.