1

Qewy

Did win at up to Listed level on the Flat though over much shorter distances than this. He has been running over obstacles and should be fit but he doesn't look Godolphin's first string here.

2

Hassle

Likes this track and has either won or been placed on most of his previous visits here, albeit over shorter distances than this. He made a nice start for this stable when easily winning a hurdle race last month.

3

Silver Concorde

A good and progressive stayer from the Epsom Derby winning stable, he prepped for this with a third of 17 in a prestigious Chester handicap, finishing fastest of all over a distance not far short of this marathon test. He is prominent in the betting for this, no surprise.

4

Pique Sous

Must be taken seriously from the stable that have won this twice in recent years. Despite racing too freely he won Britain's longest Flat race (4345m) at this meeting last year, so no stamina problems. Warmed up for this at The Curragh last month.

5

Sunblazer

A tough little horse who was in hot form early this year winning three consecutive handicaps on all-weather tracks at up to 3308m. However he has been well beaten on his two previous visits to this track.

6

Mirsaale

Ended a long losing sequence when a runaway 11L winner of a soft-ground handicap over 2759m in April, then defying a huge rise in the handicap by winning another one, over 3200m. Ran another decent race more recently.

7

No Heretic

The stable have won this before and No Heretic looks to have a good profile, having run well in a marathon test here in 2013 and also having won a prestigious handicap - at Chester - last time. He managed that despite racing too freely.

8

Penglai Pavilion

Like others here he has been competing over obstacles though soundly beaten in high class company in recent starts.
He is versatile groundwise and there must be a chance that this Listed race winner in 2013 will last this distance.

9

Totalize

Is without a win for around two years but did make some encouraging late headway in a well contested marathon handicap at Chester on his latest start. Best on good ground or softer.

10

Moscato

Likes to run from the front as he did when landing a 3200m handicap here at Ascot last season. Found one rival just too strong on his 2016 return, but that was a really encouraging effort on slower ground than he prefers. 

11

Montaly

A winner three times though 2400m has been the furthest of those. Hasn't run well in two starts at Ascot though the fast ground was unfavourable each time. Will need to improve on latest starts.

12

Jennies Jewel

A tough and versatile mare who has had her stud career delayed after what looked a career best Flat race performance when leading for most of the 3200m journey at The Curragh last month. The more rain the better.

13

Mill Springs

From Britain's leading stable but they wouldn't specialize in handicaps over extreme distances. She won a weakish Listed contest over 2800m here at Ascot last October, but was left behind when a remote last of seven in a G3 on her 2016 reappearance.

14

Le Maitre Chat

A big quirky and the winner of just one of his 13 starts though he has finished close to the money in several big handicaps including when beaten just 2L in sixth in a famous event at Newmarket over 3600m last October. 

15

Saved By The Bell

From a stable having another great season, but this gelding will need to raise his game from his last five starts which have been largely disappointing. This longer distance will need to have a positive effect.

16

Chartbreaker

Won a couple of small races on the Flat - at up to 2800m - when trained in Germany earlier in his career. He has won or been placed over hurdles in his two starts this year but probably won't be good enough for this very different contest.

17

Sempre Medici

Hasn't competed on the Flat for almost a year when a solid third in a valuable 2400m handicap. Since then he has been competing over hurdles, including two victories at a high level. Not yet proven at this distance but his fantastically successful stable won this event again last year.

18

Eshtiaal

Has plenty of stamina and also arrives here in hot form, having won over notably longer than this over hurdles on his latest start. From a formidable Irish stable and he has possibilities with good ground or slightly softer being ideal.

19

Galizzi

Returned to action with an impressive winning display in a 3200m handicap at Goodwood earlier this month, always competing for the lead and accelerating clear late on. Although he has to race under a penalty for that win he still might be very well handicapped. Chances if he has enough stamina.

20

Wolfcatcher

Mostly competes over hurdles - like many of his rivals here - but ran a close fourth in a 2800m Flat race at Newmarket last month. However his pedigree raises big doubts about his stamina for this marathon.