1

Alfareeq

Travelling nicely along the rail, he showed commitment to win a G1 over this course and distance this month, a career best.

2

Colonel Liam

Plenty of G1 success at around this trip for this formidable-looking US challenger. Most recently he quite easily justified favouritism in an 1800m G1 at Gulfstream Park.

3

Desert Fire

Dropped down to this trip when landing a surprise victory in a G2 here in January. It was a brave effort that day but it would also be quite a surprise if managed to win this.

4

Finest Sound

Better known as an improving handicapper in the UK but showed he could handle this type of company when – always prominent – he finished second in a G1 here this month.

5

Haqeeqy

Surged late to outclass 17 rivals in a prestigious 1600m Doncaster handicap this day last year. Some good performances since but poor here last time. More needed.

6

Harrovian

All his starts – including his four wins – have come over further than this. However he ran really well on his first start outside the UK when a close fourth in a hot event at Riyadh last month.

7

Lord Glitters

A hugely popular grey who can deliver a devastating finish, showing that flair again in a G2 here in February. Favourite for a G1 here this month, but the slow pace was totally wrong for him.

8

Lord North

Looking for his third G1 victory, the latest coming in this race last year – travelling like a winner throughout. Has only raced once since, a perfectly good trial for this when second at Lingfield last month.

9

Mohaafeth

Won the first four of his races as a three-year-old in 2021, latterly with a pulverising charge in a G3 at Royal Ascot. Drops to a trip that may well suit.

10

My Oberon

Looked a potential G1 horse after an emphatic G3 winner – at this trip – on his 2021, return and twice ran well in G1’s after. Now gelded, he prepped for this with an all-weather win in the UK.

11

Panthalassa

Has won three of his last four starts, latterly when dominating from the gate in a G2 over this trip at Nakayama. Japan has won four of the last seven runnings of this.

12

Schnell Meister

Yet another strong Japanese-trained contender. A G1 winner over 1600m at Tokyo last May and proved himself at this trip when accelerating from off the pace to win a Tokyo G2.

13

Sir Busker

Beaten in his last 16 starts. Though a win here would also look unlikely he did run close to his best when fourth in a G1 here this month, despite not having a good trip.

14

Ursa Minor

Won a handicap here in February and built on that when running way above general expectations to finish quite a close third of 14 in a G1 over course and distance this month.

15

Vin de Garde

Doesn’t have the same recent winning profile of some of the other Japanese raiders but he did run second to Lord North in this last year when ridden by today’s rider for the only other time.

16

Saffron Beach

Gained her first G1 win on her last start, leading from the gate to win a prestigious Newmarket event over 1600m last October. Today’s crack rider Hollie Doyle rode her to win at Sandown previously.