1

Bopedro

Only tenth in this last year but off a higher handicap mark this time. That is due to a very impressive defeat of 26 rivals in a prestigious handicap at The Curragh in August.

2

Laughifuwant

Invariably runs well here, though slow ground conditions are a big help. Lightly raced of late and may have had problems, running respectably at The Curragh in March.

3

Nebo

This is his ninth start since early June and that includes two handicap victories over this trip on good ground. An enthusiastic front-runner who will want to grab an early lead.

4

Masen

Lightly raced and well-bred though undeniably quirky. Making his handicap debut here after an encouraging run in a Listed event at Killarney – his first start since being gelded.

5

Pierre Lapin

Stable in good form and they won this race two years ago. May have found the 1600m at The Curragh just too far last time and this shorter trip should be ideal.

6

San Andreas

Was making headway when badly squeezed last time so that run can be forgiven. His previous three runs were all good efforts over this trip and on good or fast ground.

7

Surrounding

An enthusiastic veteran who has won ten of her 38 starts and has run plenty of very good races at Leopardstown – including a third in this in 2018.

8

Agitare

An expensive horse to follow, winning just one of his 22 starts. Started joint favourite to win this last year but faded towards the end, finishing eleventh.

9

Bucky Larson

Had a difficult passage in this race in 2020, finishing last. However last time out he won a 1600m handicap at Naas off top weight. A 2lb rise in the handicap looks fair.

10

Riot

A decent handicapper when trained in the UK, his last start there being a third in a Royal Ascot handicap. Ran a good third over an inadequate 1200m on his Irish debut.

11

Fools Rush In

UK raiders have quite a good record in this and this guy comes here in good form having won handicaps at Haydock and Chester in August. Happy on any ground.

12

Dream Today

A trip to Meydan earlier this year didn’t pay off, but generally in good shape back in Ireland, including second in a handicap here, and a victory at Fairyhouse.

13

Royal Canford

Has often led early but ridden less aggressively these days. Seems in quite good form lately and is effective at this trip and on good or slower ground.

14

Tadleel

From a UK stable that have won this before though he has not won on a turf surface since 2017. Has had a break since an okay run at Ascot in July.

15

Blue For You

Not particularly consistent and weakened fast at Galway last time. However he had landed a shock victory in a 1600m handicap here the time before.

16

Spanish Tenor

Some disappointments here in recent times including a modest show in this event back in 2018. A winner at Tipperary in June but that was only in claiming company.

17

Hale Bopp

From an in-form stable. He was a winner at Cork in May and ran nearly as well when third at Tipperary last time.

18

Miramis

Gained a comfortable win in a 1400m Gowran Park maiden then ran ok in a G3 last month.

Reserves

19

Lust

Looks best on a slow surface, his two wins this season coming over this sort of trip and on easy ground. Led but weakened fast in a prestigious 1600m handicap last time.

20

Mazagran

When trained in the Middle East he had success over 1600m on Jebel Ali’s dirt surface. An easy 1600m Limerick winner on his Irish debut but not so good twice since.

21

Marbling

Respectable efforts for this stable since leaving France, but in those four starts this summer she hasn’t looked like winning. May need to ease more in the handicap.