1

Absolutely So

The most impressive of his four wins came on his penultimate start when, well supported in the betting, he easily beat 12 rivals in a Listed event over 1400m at York. Perhaps he had a harder race that day than it appeared as he performed poorly when hot favourite for a Listed event last time. A big horse who will need to be back at his best to have any chance here.

2

Alben Star

Four of his seven wins have come on an all-weather surface though he has also won on a soft turf surface. He has had a busy year - already having raced 12 times - with mixed fortunes finishing close up in some hot handicaps and a Listed event in the summer but making no impact last time out.

3

An Saighdiur

From a small Irish stable and he's an eight times winner, though generally well held when confronting Group race targets. Beaten 6 lengths into third by Viztoria in a Listed race at The Curragh last Sunday, and unlikely to play a big role in the closing stages here.

4

Baccarat

Better known as a handicapper and he won Royal Ascot's prestigious Wokingham Handicap when outspeeding 27 rivals over this course and distance - though on fast ground - in June. However he didn't make much impact when trying G1 level on his penultimate start and also ran a dismal race when a hot favourite last time.

5

Eton Forever

A six-times winner but all 19 of his career starts have come over further than this which makes one wonder whether he'll have enough speed - especially at this level. However he does arrive here fresh after just three runs - all good - this season and, if they go very fast, his stamina could play a useful part at the end.

6

Gordon Lord Byron

Has twice finishing fourth in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile, despite that distance testing his stamina. Without a win since a G1 strike (1500m) at Rosehill in Australia in March, but has continued to run really well at the top level over a variety of distances - including a close second to G Force in a G1 over this distance in September - his trainer believing he was in front too soon that day.

7

Gregorian

His six career wins - including two G3's and one G2 - have all come over further than this distance. However he has plenty of speed as he showed when third in the prestigious Darley July Cup over this distance at Newmarket when he was only beaten 1 ½ lengths by Slade Power despite being denied a clear run at a crucial stage. Soft ground won't worry him at all.

8

Humidor

It is now 24 races since he has won though he was unlucky in August when finishing first past the post in a handicap at Epsom only to have the race to be declared void due to irregularities at the start. He was beaten 25 lengths in this event last year, and is again likely to be left behind in the closing stages.

9

Intibaah

Can boast a decisive victory over this course and distance and on his preferred soft ground in a good handicap here just over a year ago, a victory not predicted by the betting market. He again showed a lot of pace on soft ground when winning his first start this season but then disappeared until running disappointingly behind Lightning Moon here earlier this month.

10

Jack Dexter

His eight victories (from 26 starts) have included handicaps, two Listed races and a G3. However perhaps his best performance was when only beaten a neck by Slade Power (a dual G1 winner since) in this event last year. He doesn't look to arrive at this challenge in such good form this year, but on soft ground he remains a sprinter to be reckoned with.

11

Joey’s Destiny

Won a minor handicap in June and hasn't been disgraced in similar company since, and he can finish strongly. However at this level he will surely be outclassed.

12

Maarek

This mud-lover quickened better than the rest to win this dash on slow ground two years ago, but nothing went right for him - including at the gates - when a dismal favourite this day in 2013. On his most recent start he wasn't beaten far in Longchamp's prestigious G1 Prix de L'Abbaye - which he had won the previous year - despite also missing the break after rearing at the gates.

13

Tropics

Perhaps his career best came over this course and distance just over a year ago when he shot clear of 14 rivals in a G3 on softish ground. In the same race this year - on 4th October - he finished 2 ¾ length fourth to Lightning Moon. Slow from the gates, he then had met difficulty when about to launch his challenge and might have finished third with better fortune.

14

G Force

A former handicapper who has made giant strides since joining a stable that have had an incredibly good season. He became the likely favourite for this when showing too much speed for Gordon Lord Byron and 15 others in a G1 Sprint at Haydock in September, the move from 1000m to 1200m looking really helpful. Big chances if he handles the expected slow conditions.

15

Gathering Power

Trained by sprint expert Edward Lynam who also has the better fancied Viztoria competing for this prestigious prize. This filly finished second to Viztoria in a Listed race over this distance at The Curragh last Sunday and, though she couldn't match the speed of her stablemate, it was perhaps a career-best performance.

16

Viztoria

She has won five of her 11 starts and also ran a good third in this event last year, doing her best work at the finish. She has raced just three times this season but booked her place for this target when the stylish winner of a 1200m Listed race at The Curragh last Sunday, quickening clear. Soft ground is ideal for this fast filly.

17

Lucky Kristale

Proved a real star for her small stable as a two-year-old last season, winning four times - all at this distance - including twice at G2 level. The move up to G1 company and a 1600m trip did not work earlier this season and she ran a little better in a G3 over 1400m last time. Back to this distance may well help but soft ground could present a big problem.