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1
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Sean
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Yet    to win since moving from Germany but only headed on the wire in a G3 at    Meydan. His high handicap mark makes things difficult for this sort of race.
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| 
2
 | 
Raadobarg
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Has    failed to win any of his last 19 starts and never threatened in a Royal Ascot    handicap in June. His handicap mark may need to fall further.
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| 
3
 | 
Baradar
 | 
Nothing    exciting about any of his starts this season so far. But he did win a    prestigious 1400m handicap at this meeting last year when wearing cheekpieces    for the first time.
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| 
4
 | 
Silver    Sword
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Raced    too keenly on his only previous start here – Royal Ascot this June – and ran    poorly at Sandown last time. His two wins on turf have both come over this    trip and on fast ground.
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5
 | 
Elnajmm
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Had    some smart form in novice and maiden company in 2023 and returned from an    absence when a very decisive handicap winner at Newcastle. More improvement    likely. Chance.
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| 
6
 | 
Bopedro 
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From    a stable in hot form. Has failed to win in his last nine starts though did    run a fine fourth here last October. Versatile in terms of ground conditions.
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| 
7
 | 
Tempus
 | 
Twice    a winner over this straight 1600m which makes him respected here. Didn’t run    well here in a Royal Ascot handicap in June but got to within a shorthead of    a ninth career victory at Newmarket this month.
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| 
8
 | 
Sterling    Knight
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Winner    of handicaps in two of his last three starts, most recently when giving the    impression that the rise to this trip suited nicely when scoring at    Newmarket.
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| 
9
 | 
Tolstoy
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In great    form of late winning 1400m handicaps at York on his last three starts. Steps    up to 1600m for the first time, but slow ground would help him continue    progress here.
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| 
10
 | 
Bennetot
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Yet to    win in six starts since moving from France, but his fourth at Ripon last time    suggested that he was coming into form and his stable are in very good form.
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11
 | 
Great    Blasket
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Looks    to thrive on racing and has won four of his 12 starts this year, delivering a    strong late run to win a handicap on penultimate start at Nottingham.    Blinkers seem to have helped his progress.
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12
 | 
Obelix
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Only    one career victory so far but his last two starts have been quite    encouraging, especially when a strong finishing fourth after a difficult    passage last time.
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