1

Annaf

Under a daring ride up the rail he won this last year. Hasn’t won since but has been prepared for this big prize, and his third at Lingfield earlier this month was respectable after missing the break.

2

Ava Go Joe

In terrific form in sprints in Bahrain in recent starts, again too quick for his rivals in a 1000m Local G1 there in January. But yet to prove himself at this trip and, in any case, will probably find some of these international rivals too strong.

3

Byline

Can’t be ignored coming from a stable that landed a shock win in this in 2020, plus Byline ran a terrific third in this last year and would have surely finished closer had he had a clear passage in the straight. Some good efforts in Bahrain since.

4

Dark Trooper

Won four consecutive races in the UK in 2023 and fought hard to narrowly win a Local G3 in Qatar last November. Last September a power-packed finish had saw him go close to victory in a 1400m G3 at ParisLongchamp. Likely to be played late.

5

Goemon

In fine form in Bahrain, winning his last three starts and twice finishing ahead of Byline who was third in this last year. But those wins were all at 1600m, and his career record suggests that this 1351m may not prove far enough.

6

Howard Wolowitz

This US challenger’s greatest achievement so far was to win a 1300m G1 at Kentucky Downs last September, leading around 250m out and then rallying bravely after being headed. A repeat of that certainly would give him chances here.

7

Malyan

Has proved hard to beat since starting his career in Saudi Arabia, unbeaten in last five starts at this track including two over this distance, with some impressive winning margins. Now up against international competition but respected.

8

Task Force

Competed five times in the UK in 2024, and was not disgraced in any of them, probably doing best when a close third in a fast-ground 1600m G3 at Goodwood. Effective at this shorter trip and he could easily play a major role for his highly successful stable.

9

Uncle

Too strong for 18 rivals when landing a 1600m Listed event here in January. But later last month put in a modest show in an 1800m G3, also here. Bred for speed, but probably best over further than this trip.

10

Win Marvel

Fanciable given Japan’s strong record in this and the fact that he is a class performer at around 1400m, last year narrowly winning both a G3 at Hanshin and a G2 at Tokyo over this trip.

11

Witness Stand

His UK form improved in the later part of last year when cheekpieces were added and that included a smart victory in a 1400m Listed event at Newbury. The ground was soft that day but he is a versatile horse as far as ground conditions are concerned.

12

Ascoli Piceno

This Japanese contender failed to fire when taken to Australia for a big pot at Rosehill, but has high class Japanese form at around 1600m, including a G1 Hanshin victory in 2023 and a G3 Nakayama victory last September.

13

Ten Happy Rose

Last May she charged from the back to win a 1600m G1 at Tokyo, at huge odds. Sat second for most of the trip but just failed to handle closers late on when 1.3L fourth in a G1 at Del Mar last November. Japanese contenders have a good record in this event.