1

Fire Fighting

His handicap rating has been on the rise after a succession of good efforts, especially when racing over this distance. Despite not looking particularly happy on Epsom gradients this tough horse only narrowly failed to win a competitive handicap there earlier this month.

2

Fattsota

Twice won handicaps here at Ascot back in 2012, both on softish ground over 2400m. He faded out of contention on a faster surface in this shorter event in 2013 and any ease in the ground would help his cause. He likes to sit prominently.

3

Niceofyoutotellme

Best known as a good handicapper at around this trip but he has made a surprisingly good transition to group race company on his last two starts, beaten less than a length by two horses with a much higher rating at Sandown last time. Interesting back in handicap grade.

4

Mahsoob

An unbeaten colt of huge potential who holds G1 entries later on so will be considered by many as hard to beat here. In a red hot handicap over a little further than this at York last time, he looked too far back to have any chance 300m from the end before unleashing a sensational burst of speed.

5

Educate

A six-times winner though winless for his last 15 starts. His last two runs have shown him to be in good form and he has often done best in a big-field handicap as he will compete in here.

6

Ocean Tempest

The winner of ten of his 50 starts but he is finding success harder now and has been beaten in his last 12 starts. He also seems more effective over shorter than this, so this looks very difficult after some modest recent performances.

7

Ayrad

Highly tried last season including in G1 company. That proved too much but he was the winner of a Listed race over 2400m at Goodwood last time and he is capable of a big race off this handicap rating. However it would be helpful if the ground was softer rather than faster.

8

Super Moon

It is impossible to equate the form but he has plenty of good efforts on the turf in Japan at around this distance, most recently when third of 14 in a Listed race in Tokyo. Connections have picked this handicap having also entered him for the G2 Hardwicke Stakes.

9

First Flight

A useful handicapper who may have improved since being gelded over the winter. He finished fast in a hot York handicap but couldn't handle the even faster late surge of Mahsoob, finishing 3/4L third. He handles all ground.

10

Collaboration

The level of his progress in 2015 can be shown by the fact that he started the season winning off a mark of 75 following a wind operation and is now on a mark of 102 after completing a hat-trick of wins at Chester. The only worry would be fast ground, as he thought best on good or softer.

11

Provenance

A lightly raced but very progressive filly who has won three of her seven starts though all over shorter than this. She launched her challenge just too late when a close third in a 1600m Listed race at Goodwood early last month though the form of that race has been devalued since.

12

Groundbreaking

Hasn't so far managed to build on a runaway 7L success in a 2000m Newmarket handicap in May 2014. He went to Meydan in the winter running just once, a modest effort in a handicap on the dirt surface.

13

Mount Logan

A sharply progressive handicapper last season, especially impressive when winning a 2400m event at Doncaster last September. He didn't make much impact behind Collaboration over 2016m at Epsom on his return, and, though he should be sharper today, he might be happier over a longer trip.

14

Dick Doughtywylie

Last seen when a 12-1 shot for this event in 2014, running a respectable seventh, beaten 5 3/4L. A tough battler but this is a big ask against so many race-fit rivals.

15

Sennockian Star

Has an impressive career record, having either won or been second in 20 of his 48 starts. Although disappointing on his penultimate start he bounced back with an easy victory around Chester's tight bends a week ago. He ran a close fourth in this event last year.

16

Don't Stare

Back into handicap company after trying group and listed races over 2400m on his recent starts. He has been running reasonably well though has lacked a finishing kick each time, and may do better dropping back in distance here.