1

Gibeon

His first start of this season was dismal and there must have been worries that he had not trained on. Much better second time however when only beaten a nose in a 1600m Newmarket handicap, though subsequently demoted from second to third. Not so good over a similar distance to this last time.

2

Cymro

He reared up in the stalls on his first start this season so was put into the stalls last on his more recent run, and it may have helped as he managed to beat a highly-regarded Irish challenger into second in that Chester maiden. No stamina worries. Chance.

3

Stravagante

From a stable that has won this twice in the last ten years and Stravagante must have winning hopes. Although beaten 12L by stunning winner Jack Hobbs (fancied to win the Derby later on this card) in a handicap at Sandown he got hampered on the bend and wasn't given a hard time once his chance had gone. This distance looks ideal.

4

Resonant

Looks to have shown significant improvement on his last two starts, winning first a maiden at Newmarket (by 10 lengths) and then a handicap over 1800m at Goodwood. It is not easy to stay in front up the straight at that track, but that is exactly what he did. Raised 9lb by the handicapper but Resonant might still have more upside.

5

Shaakis

Gelded during the winter and his two starts in 2015 have been career bests, decisively. First he showed plenty of pace to win a handicap over 1600m on an all-weather surface before switching to turf with a good second over the same distance at Sandown. The colt who beat him that day was very impressive when winning a hot handicap more recently so the form looks strong.

6

Lostock Hall

A maiden race winner at two, and he shaped nicely on his three-year-old debut when a close fourth (at odds of 33-1) in a Newmarket handicap over a similar distance to this. However he faded fast over that same course and distance more recently, finishing last of seven.

7

Dutch Uncle

Continues to progress with facts and figures suggesting that his recent third of 13 in a handicap over a similar distance to this at Newbury last time was a career best. The handicapper has raised him another 3lb since that effort which looks fair enough.

8

Tadqeeq

His first two starts this season were probably slightly superior to his most recent run when he started favourite for a 1600m handicap at Haydock but got into a barging match with another rival 400m from the end and couldn't recover. However the three who finished in front of him there have all been decisively beaten since which isn't very encouraging.

9

Taper Tantrum

A progressive two-year-old who won his last two starts in 2014, showing a nice change of gears each time. He should handle the longer distance on his first start of 2015 though followers of trends in racing may be disturbed that the last 16 winners of this race had all competed within the two previous months and this is his first start for 299 days.

10

Mezajy

Encouraging that his sole career victory came in a maiden here earlier in the season when - despite travelling wide - he handled the track well before showing plenty of determination to win. He posted another good effort at Newmarket subsequently and, though the form of that race has not been enhanced since, the move up from 1600m to this distance does look positive.

11

Cornelious

Has attracted plenty of betting support prior to his races suggesting that he shows plenty on the home gallops. He beat 10 rivals in a maiden at Windsor over a similar distance to this on his penultimate start but a longer trip didn't seem to help him in a handicap subsequently. That was still a decent effort however.

12

Cosmic Ray

Much too free early on his seasonal debut here in April, running right out of steam in the closing stages. Again a bit too keen at Sandown on his latest start and his winning prospects will increase significantly once he learns to settle. Up in distance here which, on pedigree, may be a problem.

13

Steady Major

His two wins came on all-weather surfaces much earlier in the year when the competition is less fierce. Decisively beaten on his two turf starts in May and his prospects don't look good here.