1

Polarisation

Not one of Godolphin's stars as he has been kept to handicaps rather than move up in grade. However he has a good strike-rate and he won four handicaps during a busy time last summer, at this distance or a bit more and looking to do best on a soft surface.

2

Blue Surf

From a stable with an excellent record in this race including when they won it last year with Blue Surf, a relatively unfancied outsider. With stamina on his side he was sent for home 400m out and galloped on strongly to fend off the closers. He hasn't won in eight starts since, but at least that means he again comes here off a reasonable handicap mark.

3

Duretto

Won two good handicaps - dead-heating once - at Ascot last year and made his 2016 debut at the same track with a fine effort in second place despite having to challenge wide. That was on quick ground but last year's best runs were on a softish surface and that looks possible for Saturday. 

4

Stars Over The Sea

Had some success over hurdles in the past few years but now back with Flat race trainer Mark Johnston who trained him to win several races a few years ago. He did finish a close third at this track back in 2014 though he didn't look to really enjoy himself around these gradients.

5

Paddys Motorbike

Has won three of his 18 starts and came quite close to another one on his seventh and latest start of 2016 when coming through late to finish second in quite a strong Newmarket handicap over this distance, probably a career-best run. A tough horse who will handle soft ground if those are the conditions.

6

Hardstone

Formerly trained in Ireland, he was held back by breathing problems but they were clearly sorted out by the time he landed a 50-1 shock victory at Ayr last September. Best effort since then was his most recent when he led and then battled on bravely at Newmarket - only beaten in a tight three-way photo. He has tons of stamina but a slow surface is a question mark.

7

Karraar

Will be trying to win this on his first start of the season, though he did win first time last season so that should not be a worry. The cheekpieces seemed to help his concentration when easily winning a handicap over this distance on his final 2015 appearance though that means he now has a challenging task at the weights. Maybe he is still improving.

8

Shell Bay

Twice won handicaps over a similar distance to this last season though his latest victory was a victory in a 2000m handicap at Newmarket last October. However he didn't show much flair on his seasonal debut just five days ago, and also seems happiest racing on quicker ground than is likely here.

9

Barwick

He likes this track, having not been beaten far in this event last year and more recently - on his first start for this stable - he came with a powerful surge to beat 11 rivals in a handicap over this course and distance. He subsequently ran another good race - at Windsor - struggling at one point but running on strongly at the end - finishing a very close third.

10

Senrima

Unraced this year but he did win two of his four starts last season, although both were in four-runner fields on fast ground. However his trainer did comment at the time that he thought Senrima would be better on a slower surface so he might be OK here. Front-running tactics are possible, as he looked comfortable with that last year.

11

Yorkidding

Got into traffic problems around Chester's tight bends last time out and could never get into the serious action though she wasn't far away at the end. A big horse who may not be ideally suited to Epsom though today's jockey gets on especially well with her, having ridden her to two of her three wins.

12

Green Light

The winner of just one of his 18 starts but came very close to adding to that on his only start this season when - after being well supported in the betting- he was only narrowly beaten and can race off the same handicap mark this time. An easy racing surface seems to suit best.

13

Ladurelli

Beaten out of sight on his first start - on grass - but did much better on his other two all-weather starts last season including quite a stylish winning performance in a  maiden over 2000m.  His trainer reckons that he will like softish ground on grass and he is potentially nicely handicapped for this 2016 debut.

14

Buonarroti

Competed at a very high level when trained in Ireland early in his career and consequently he started his UK career on a very high handicap rating, now not having won in 13 starts here. There were some promising signs last season however including a second of 22 in a prestigious end-of-season handicap over a similar distance to this. The softer the ground the better for him.

15

Whinging Willie

A tough old campaigner and though none of his six wins have come here, he has three times finished second over this course and distance, twice in very tight finishes and most recently just caught out by a strong finisher. As a seven-year-old he is facing a career high mark which is why some will find him hard to fancy here. No ground worries.

16

Repeater

Didn't have a good strike-rate but seems have found a good lease of life recently, briefly looking like pulling off a shock at Chester two races back and then given a cool ride by today's young claiming rider when delivered to lead right on the line in quite a valuable event at The Curragh. He may still be well handicapped.

17

Hubertas

It is quite interesting that George Wood, a 7lb claiming rider who is attracting a lot of attention, has been  booked for this gelding who came very close to victory in a handicap over 2382m at Haydock last time. That was on fast ground, but there is some evidence that he is Ok on softer ground as well.

18

Iftiraaq

Sometimes also races over hurdles including a disappointing effort last time. However his latest start on the Flat saw him gain quite an easy victory in a handicap at Bath. That was over shorter than this but he is fine at today's distance and might still nicely handicapped.