1

Aeolus

Doesn't seem to have been at his best on his three previous attempts at Ascot, including when fading out late on earlier this month with some of his rivals here in front of him. However, that was his first run after a break and some of his earlier form, including a G3 win at Newcastle, would give him an outside chance.

2

Coulsty

Is a four times winner including at G3 level over this distance, the ground being very soft that day. He has been racing over further than this recently.

3

Danzeno

Won the fourth race of his career on his latest start when gaining a relatively easy victory in a minor event over 1000m. He had earlier run sixth in G1 company over this distance at Haydock, and he would surely have been closer if hadn't raced so freely early on. He was only narrowly beaten on his only previous visit to Ascot, a good sign.

4

Eastern Impact

Has a good strike-rate having won six of his 17 starts. He comes here fresh off a victory over this course and distance, showing a great attitude when the runner-up launched a strong late challenge. Versatile groundwise, he comes from a stable enjoying a terrific season.

5

Emperor Max

An interesting raider from Singapore who is a specialist over this distance at Kranji where he has an excellent winning strike-rate including a last-time out victory at local G3 level. Impossible to tell how he will cope with the anticipated softish turf surface at Ascot as well as the home grown opposition.

6

Gordon Lord Byron

Well known at Sha Tin, including a close fourth in last December's G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint over this distance. And, although he had not been seen at his best on previous visits to Ascot, he burst through a narrow gap to win this race last year, helped by the very slow ground. He has had a busy 2015 and that includes plenty more good efforts.

7

Great Minds

Only beaten 2L in a G2 over 1000m at The Curragh last time, a good effort from an Irish-trained gelding who is lightly raced for his age. Also effective at this 1200m but most important is soft ground, and there must be some doubt that it will be slow enough to really suit him on Saturday.

8

Heaven’s Guest

A good professional sprinter from a stable enjoying a great time in 2015. Striking the front some way out in a valuable 1400m handicap here in July, he held on bravely to win. However on ratings he has a lot to prove here, and will probably struggle against hot opposition.

9

Jack Dexter

Has lots of experience of Ascot's 1200m track, and finished runner-up in this event two years ago and third last year. He will probably be well fancied yet again - especially if the ground is soft but he has gone 17 races without a win and hasn't been at his best in recent starts.

10

Lancelot du Lac

He has a good record in decent class handicaps but has usually struggled in Group race company. He tuned up for this with a comfortable success, dominating from the front on the all-weather at Kempton but will surely trade at long odds for this much tougher assignment.

11

Lightning Moon

Looked really promising last year, winning all  three starts and closing down the season with a G3 victory on soft ground over this distance here at Ascot. He was then purchased by Godolphin but has failed to show anything in two starts this season so supporters will need to hope that his trainer has finally got him right.

12

Maarek

Needs soft ground and on those conditions he won this event way back in 2012, also finishing just 2L behind Gordon Lord Byron when 4th in this race last year. Mixed fortunes since then and, though way down the field in the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp this month, the quickening ground was completely against him there.

13

Naadirr

A strong late challenge just failed in a G3 over this course and distance recently but he does look to arrive here in good form. However he does not seem as well suited to the predicted softish ground as so many of his rivals here.

14

Adaay

Has won five of his ten starts including when showing impressive acceleration to win a G2 over this distance at Haydock back in May and has won another G2 over 1400m since. However he failed to make an impact in a G1 at Haydock last month and faces some of the rivals who finished ahead of him then.

15

Muhaarar

Has won his last three starts, all at G1 level so he sets the standard here. The first of those victories came over this course and distance, and Ascot's stiff 1200m appears to suit him well. He hasn't raced since his G1 success at Deauville in August with connections deciding to freshen him up for this race for which drying conditions would be appreciated.

16

Strath Burn

His strong late surge failed by a whisker to get him a shock 33-1 victory in a G1 at Haydock last time. He will face his narrow conqueror Twilight Son again here but trainer Charles Hills insists that his colt is still improving and says he did a great piece of homework last week.

17

The Tin Man

A lightly raced but fast improving gelding who gained a stunning success in a good handicap over this course and distance a couple of weeks ago, recording an outstandingly fast time. He has been supplemented into this race and will now try to emulate his half-brother (Deacon Blues) who won this race in 2011.

18

Twilight Son

Unbeaten in all five starts, all at this distance. Two starts back his victory came in handicap company but, moving straight into G1 grade last time, he showed terrific speed to win the prestigious Haydock Sprint Cup fending off some of today's rivals including second placed Strath Burn. He won that on good to soft ground and those conditions would be OK for this highly talented colt but he wouldn't want it any softer.

19

Gathering Power

She has only won twice and though none of her 2015 starts have been a disaster she would need to upgrade significantly on them to have an impact here. She was doing her best work late on when third at The Curragh last time whilst soft ground would help here. Her stable won this valuable sprint in 2013.

20

Interception

She produced a sweeping challenge down the stands side to beat 24 rivals in a prestigious handicap over this distance at Royal Ascot in June, the clear highlight of her career. She has been generally disappointing since including here earlier this month.