1

Escobar

Lots of Ascot experience in big field handicaps including a victory in a valuable handicap last October. Has run some fair races this season but his handicap mark is challenging.

2

Tacarib Bay

Gelded since his last start, he has twice run really well over the straight 1600m at Ascot. Best chance on a slow surface.

3

Biggles

Slow ground, a large field and a strong gallop over this trip looks the ideal scenario for Biggles who ran a fine second here in May and surged past rivals to win a valuable Newmarket handicap last time.

4

Rhythm Master

Only win on a turf surface came on his career debut back in 2020. Did run a good fourth in a soft-ground G3 over this course and distance in 2021, but has struggled to live up to that since.

5

Bless Him

Most of his success has come over 1600m, but he is also very effective over this 1400m, and was only beaten a short-head in this last year despite a slow start.

6

Montassib

Despite idling when in front he won a 1400m Newmarket handicap under joint top weight in May. Will need to race less keenly than he did at both Ascot and Newmarket subsequently.

7

Vafortino

Some near misses since he won a slow-ground 1600m Goodwood handicap last September. He led 400m out at York last time, and then fought hard only to just get caught.

8

Northern Express

Has been running consistently well throughout this season and gained his second handicap win of 2023 when surging from the back to win over this trip at York this month.

9

Fresh

A short-head winner in a thrilling finish to this race last year, and with other fine performances over this course and distance. Still handicapped well enough for a big show.

10

Bopedro

One handicap win from eight starts this season and some other solid efforts including over this course and distance. Was doing his best work at the finish at Newmarket a week ago.

11

Spirit Of Light

Hard to fancy here and is currently on a losing streak of 21 races. Never threatened in the closing stages here at Ascot on his last two starts.

12

Safe Voyage

A veteran 13-times winner and though he hasn’t managed success in his last 15 starts, his handicap mark is sliding and he wasn’t beaten far in a soft-ground handicap here last time.

13

Lir Speciale

Has a good winning strike rate – victorious in four of his nine starts most recently at Kempton in May, but well away from the money in a Royal Ascot handicap subsequently.

14

Baradar

Very effective at this trip with his three career wins all coming on a slow surface. Ran respectably here on his last two starts but needs to do better to win this.

15

Orbaan

This veteran’s last win came over this course and distance last August. Though he had a much more obvious chance in that non-handicap than he has in this. Finished eighth in this race last year.

16

Ropey Guest

Beaten 4L when tenth in this last year. But some good shows since including a Goodwood victory over this trip and then a fast-finishing second to today’s rival Biggles at Newmarket this month.

17

Star Of Orion

Makes a quick reappearance having come from well off the pace to win a 1400m Newmarket handicap last Saturday, his first victory for two years.

18

Spangled Mac

Didn’t shine at Meydan earlier in the year, but back in form when twice running at Royal Ascot this year including a close fourth of 29 over this trip. Good or fast ground preferred.

19

Popmaster

Despite racing too enthusiastically he had plenty in hand when winning a 1200m here this month but made no impact at Newmarket subsequently. May be better at 1200m.

20

Nizaaka

Best effort since returning from a winless spell at Meydan was when second in a 1400m Goodwood handicap. Well behind at Newmarket last time.

21

Fools Rush In

Has struggled to make an impact in all seven starts this year. The stable’s horses are running pretty well but it would be a big shock if this gelding managed to win here.

22

Ramazan

Didn’t look to quite stay 1600m at Ascot on his penultimate start and, dropping to this trip, won at Haydock earlier this month. That was on fast ground, but he’s won on soft also.

23

Hickory

Flopped at Doncaster recently but had gone close to winning a handicap over this trip at Redcar previously. Likely to start at long odds for this.

24

Mitrosonfire

Has done well for this stable since being cheaply purchased. He finished strongly when third at Newmarket last weekend. An outsider but he could easily run well.

25

Mister Bluebird

Not beaten far at Newbury and Newmarket after leading in the last strides to win a 1400m fast-ground Goodwood handicap. Good efforts – including a win – on previous Ascot visits.

26

Top Secret

Very genuine and has finished in the first three in 14 of his 25 starts. Narrowly beaten under today’s rider at Newbury on his 2023 return and ran another fine race at Salisbury last time.

27

Zu Run

Best run this season came over this course and distance last time, always prominent and not beaten far in fourth. Has a tough task at the weights.