1

Raising Sand

Has plenty of experience and success at Ascot including this straight 1600m, and a close 6th in this in 2018. Has only raced once this year. Needs muddy ground.

2

Prince Eiji

Has been expensive to follow since winning a maiden here on his career debut. Hasn’t yet lived up to his superb breeding.

3

Kynren

On a slightly easier handicap mark than when 6th of 20 in this last year. However this year’s four starts have only offered modest encouragement.

4

Graignes

Having his first ever handicap start, and when trained in France he sometimes tackled G1 company, coming close to winning one. His low winning strike-rate is a worry.

5

Keats

Does not quicken immediately but does seem to be progressing judging by his Listed win over this trip at Cork last month. Not obviously well handicapped but respected from this stable.

6

Orbaan

From a stable that have plundered this twice in the past three years. A steady pace didn’t help him over this course and distance last month, but he did finish strongly.

7

Bell Rock

Couldn’t handle G1 company, but an effective handicapper as he showed with a fast-finishing victory at Newmarket over this trip and 3rd of 27 in a red-hot handicap there last month.

8

Solid Stone

Looked in trouble over this trip at Sandown in June, but powered clear at the end, also winning an all-weather handicap last time ridden by this in-form jockey.

9

Njord

A trustworthy gelding who came from way off the speed to win a handicap at The Curragh in June. Has performed really well since, but that has kept his handicap rating stubbornly high.

10

Symbolize

Despite racing too freely he posted a career best when finishing 3rd in a 1400m G3 here in June. Up in trip and in a handicap for the first time.

11

Greenside

A six-times winning veteran who has done well considering how many training issues he has had. However his lofty handicap rating does not make life easy.

12

Raakib Alhawa

Did win over this trip on his career debut but his last four starts have been over notably further than this. An outsider here after two comprehensive 2020 defeats.

13

King Ottokar

Had high class ambitions earlier in his career, and though hasn’t lived up to them – or won this year – he is beginning to look nicely handicapped. Slow ground suits best.

14

Ropey Guest

Has not been beaten far on any of his previous Ascot visits. Comes here off a win in a weak novices’ all-weather race, but this will be much tougher.

15

Blue Mist

Has been eased slightly by the handicapper after disappointing here last time but has earlier shown a liking for Ascot including a convincing victory over this straight 1600m in 2018.

16

Raaeq

Having just his 6th start and has swiftly progressed into a high class handicapper, quickening as soon as asked to win a 1400m handicap on slow ground here this month.

17

Tempus

His stable has won this before, and this colt is proven over this straight 1600m winning here in September. Faded late – but ran well – in a prestigious Newmarket handicap last time.

18

River Nymph

Tackling this distance for the first time but progressive and made a step forward when winning here in July, then beating a subsequent winner in a Newbury handicap in August.

19

Hortzadar

From a stable with a great record in this though his two previous Ascot visits have not been successful. Best at this trip however and favouring a slow surface.

20

Alternative Fact

Two good efforts both times Frankie Dettori has partnered him, latterly when 3rd of 22 in a Royal Ascot handicap over this course and distance. Handles soft ground well.

Reserves

21

Bear Force One

Weakened from a prominent position in a prestigious Newmarket handicap last time. Yet to run at Ascot and yet to prove he handles slow ground.

22

Revich

Won two Chester handicaps in August, ridden very differently each time. Outpaced but ran on late over 1400m here last time. Worth another attempt at this longer trip.

23

Hartswood

Should be fresher than most after a light season, having run solid races in three York handicaps, including when responding well to jockey pressure to score over this trip in July.