1

Adaay

Has won five of his 16 starts but has never made an impact at G1 level and the evidence also suggests that 1600m is beyond his optimum.

2

Barchan

Has been used as a pacemaker for more serious Godolphin candidates and with Ribchester in the field that will surely be his role again here.

3

Breton Rock

A former handicapper who has developed into an effective Group class gelding as he showed when coming from a poor position off a slow gallop to land a G2 over 1400m last time. However he's never won over 1600m plus this G1 level against younger more progressive rivals is likely to be too hot.

4

Hathal

From a stable that has enjoyed a terrific autumn spell and Hathal returned from a long break to post a career best when getting the better of a tight finish on soft ground at Haydock. That was a G3 however and this is a red hot G1.

5

Lightning Spear

Back on the quick surface that suits him best, he showed smart acceleration from a difficult position to win a G2 over this distance at Goodwood last time. His trainer reckons there were excuses for two modest G1 performances on his two previous starts.

6

Mitchum Swagger

Only one disappointment from an eight race career and at his best last time when only beaten in a tight finish to a G3 at Haydock. However plenty more needed against G1 rivals here, though soft ground would help.

7

Awtaad

He is expected to go to stud after this start, having so far won five of his eight starts- including a G1 defeat of Galileo Gold at the Curragh back in May. A comfortable G2 winner last time, his chances here would be enhanced by softening ground.

8

Galileo Gold

Too keen when favourite for a G1 at Deauville last time, but, though only eighth, it was not a total disaster as he was only 3 ¼ lengths behind winner Ribchester. He has a good chance here if able to recapture some outstanding G1 performances - including here at Ascot - earlier in the year. Ridden prominently.

9

Hit It A Bomb

Not trainer Aidan O'Brien's major contender with Minding in this field, and he has also been a beaten favourite on both his starts this season. However he did win a G1 in the USA at about this time last year and can't be completely dismissed.

10

Ribchester

Each race he has run in this year he has looked better, and his G1 defeat of 10 rivals at Deauville in August - with the likes of Galileo Gold well behind - was surely a career best - also proving his suitability for a straight 1600m which he encounters again here. Versatile groundwise, he must be a major player.

11

Stormy Antarctic

Effective on easy ground and over this distance. However although he has run respectably on his four G1 efforts - including over Deauville's straight 1600m last time - ratings suggest he won't be quite good enough for this big task.

12

Jet Setting

A very cheap purchase who hit the headlines when winning the Irish 1000 Guineas (1600m) at The Curragh, leading for most of the way. She put a couple of modest starts behind her when thrashing her rivals in a G3 recently. She loves soft ground.

13

Minding 

Has won seven of her 11 starts and ran another cracker last time when third in a red-hot G1 over 2000m at Leopardstown last month. Back in distance but she's won two G1s over 1600m. From the unstoppable O'Brien stable, she's top class and super consistent.