1

Ansgar

Although competing over shorter distances than he once did, in his 29 career starts he has never raced over as short as this 1200m. He did win three group races last season, including when leading all the way to win a G2 over 1400m at Doncaster. Best on good or fast ground.

2

Astaire

Led for a long way on the far side of the track in this event last year, eventually folding and over 6L behind the winner. Back to form when leading most of the way to win a G3 at Newmarket in April, enjoying his favoured fast ground which he hasn't had in two less good starts since.

3

Brazen Beau

Moved to the front of Australia's formidable sprint division with a super victory in Flemington’s Newmarket Handicap, a terrific performance of raw speed despite the fact that he was getting weight from his elders in that G1 event. He could easily be another Aussie winner of this, following on from Black Caviar in 2012.

4

Caspar Netscher

Didn't take long to show how fast he was, gaining two G2 wins over this distance as a two-year-old. Victories have been less frequent since though he did win another G2 also at this distance at Woodbine in 2014. His close fourth in another G2, last month, was encouraging as he was giving weight to his rivals.

5

Due Diligence

Formerly trained in the US he has been lightly raced since arriving in Ireland but ran a terrific race in this event last year, leading the group on the stands side and then fighting back after being headed, beaten just a 1 1/2L into second despite drifting across the track under pressure. A modest first start of 2015 is best forgotten.

6

Glass Office

Although he has competed over both shorter and further his four career wins have all come over this distance. He comes here off a sparking performance at York when changing gear when it mattered to swoop past his rivals and land a G2. Possibilities if in the same shape today.

7

Gordon Lord Byron

This well-travelled veteran finishing fourth in this event in 2013 though only eighth last year on ground quicker than ideal. A triple G1 winner who also landed a G2 over this course and distance last October, bursting through late. His chance would be much improved by rain.

8

Moviesta

Having his first start for Irish sprint ace trainer Eddie Lynam and also his first start at Ascot in his 18 race four winner career. A very good sprinter on his day and desperately unlucky not to have won Longchamp's famous G1 Prix de L'Abbaye last October.

9

Music Master

A good fourth in this event last year, a solid first try in G1 company. Other visits to Ascot confirm that he is suited to this track but, whilst he made a solid start to this season, his subsequent performance was poor with no explanation having been found.

10

Mustajeeb

Has mostly competed over further than this and at this meeting last year - his only previous visit to Ascot - he beat 22 rivals to win a G3 over 1400m. However any doubts that he was not quick enough for this distance were dispelled on his last start when he gained a fluent victory in a 1200m G2 at The Curragh, always travelling comfortably.

11

Pearl Secret

Makes a quick reappearance having run a terrific fourth, just 1L behind winner Goldream in the G1 King's Stand Stakes over 1000m on Tuesday. A fast finisher there, he now moves up to 1200m, a distance he has only raced over once in his 16 race career. He handles quick ground but prefers slower conditions.

12

Tropics

An outsider for this race last year as he had been out of form beforehand, though not disgraced in ninth. He arrives here in much better shape this time having overcome a difficult gate to storm past rivals late on and collect a Listed race at Windsor, breaking the track record time for 1200m.

13

Undrafted

Has raced over a wide variety of distances in the US with plenty of success and this versatile gelding also ran a cracking race on his only previous visit to the UK when fourth in the G1 July Cup at Newmarket last summer. The slow ground wasn't in his favour then, and on a quick surface he must have a decent chance here.

14

Wandjina

An athletic type with a smooth action and trainer Gai Waterhouse believes that this Aussie invader is ideally built for the tough 1200m at Royal Ascot even though most of his runs back home have been over further. He certainly arrives here in terrific form after three sparkling starts this year, most recently when beaten just a head in a highly competitive G1 at Randwick.

15

Lucky Kristale

She had a terrific two-year-old career but went off the boil subsequently. However there were definite signs that she was coming back to form last time with a good 1/2L second behind Tropics in a Listed race at Windsor this month,  a 1200m sprint run in a course record time.