1

American Patriot

The US won this last year though this guy hasn't shown Tepin's level of class so far. However he did post a career-best effort with a powerful finish in a G1 at Keeneland in April. Fast ground will most certainly suit him.

2

Cougar Mountain

Finished third in this event two years ago though did less well on a soft surface in 2016. He is 0-12 when tackling G1 company which suggests that his winning chance is small, even if his stable has won this event in three of the last 11 years.

3

Deauville

Well travelled, his last eight starts have been over further than this, including a G1 win at Belmont Park last year and a G3 victory at Chester two starts back- leading from gate to wire then. Supplemented into this and fast ground is helpful.

4

Dutch Connection

Likes this track and won a G3 here over 1400m (the trip of all his four wins) at Royal Ascot in 2015. However his record at G1 level (0-8) suggests that he is not an obvious winner even though fast ground conditions are much in his favour.

5

Dutch Uncle

A modest handicapper who has been supplemented into the race reportedly to help ensure a swift and consistent gallop for major player Lightning Spear.

6

Ennaadd

His four wins have all been at this distance though on an all-weather surface. With this race in mind his trainer tried him over this straight 1600m last month and he only just failed to win that Listed event. This looks tough but the stable are in great form.

7

Jallota

A five times winner from a busy 42-race career, he has won at up to G3 level and almost snatched a G1 - albeit a weak one in Italy- last year.  Two good starts this season but if the main players run up to their best he might struggle.

8

Kaspersky

The mount of 2015 Melbourne Cup winning heroine Michelle Payne. Connections are excited about this but consider it an experiment for this former Italian-trained horse who ran fifth in a Listed race here last month before a second in a handicap.

9

Kool Kompany

The winner of a Listed event over the distance - though on a round course - at Doncaster in April but the bulk of his form suggests he won't be nearly good enough here.

10

Lightning Spear

A classy 1600m operator though he has finished behind Ribchester in various G1 contests, most recently when 3 ¾ lengths second to him in a G1 over the straight 1600m at Newbury last month. He may have just needed that first 2017 start and faster anticipated ground is in his favour.

11

Mutakayyef

Much improved since gelded, and he won a G2 here last summer though on the round track. His last two starts have both decent efforts abroad though short of his best and he has ground to make up with Ribchester from his last start, at Meydan.

12

Oh This Is Us

Has plenty to find on the ratings though he's very tough and genuine and he's enjoying a profitable campaign including a Listed and handicap victory. Likely fast ground has encouraged connections to try this ambitious target.

13

Ribchester

Enjoyed a terrific three-year-old season including G1 success and may be even better now judging by his powerful front-running G1 victory over 1600m at Newbury last month. Those tactics may well be repeated and, despite faster anticipated ground, he is the major player.

14

Toscanini

His five career wins have all come over 1200m, including at G3 level at The Curragh last year. Surely here as a pacemaker for Ribchester as he was at Newbury last time, on that occasion missing the break and not doing his job.

15

Miss Temple City

A multiple G1 winner in the US and fifth in last season's Breeders' Cup Mile. Fourth in a G2 for Fillies here last year, a good effort on the slower than ideal ground then. A first start for 198 days but she goes well fresh off a break.

16

Spectre

This French-trained filly won a G3 at Maisons-Laffitte early last season though on much slower ground than she will encounter here. She also ran a surprise second in a G1 at Chantilly last September, and will need to reproduce that.