1

Platitude

Ran a fair first start of the season when fourth in a Listed event at Chester last month, and the three ahead of him all had the advantage of race-fitness. A good chance that this longer distance will help.

2

The Major General

Showed he had no problem with this distance when scoring in Listed company at Leopardstown last time  though that was on quick ground. Has a challenging task at the weights, but he's improving.

3

Primitivo

Has not stopped improving as he showed when winning on  different ground conditions at Newbury and Sandown this season. A real bargain buy who could be even better over this longer distance.

4

Harrison

Ran well in a good handicap on his 2016 return but simply wasn't good enough when moved into G2 company subsequently. This looks more appropriate and the stable sending out winners.

5

Paris Protocol

Looked as though he needed his first start of 2016 when fifth over 2006m at Sandown in April. He looks the type to do well this year but he still needs to prove himself at this distance.

6

Lovell

A very expensive purchase, he won a 1400m maiden on his final start last year and showed encouraging three-year-old credentials when moving up to 2006m for his 2016 return, running a close second in a good Sandown handicap.

7

Ocean Jive

Won a soft ground maiden over 1600m last August, but the attempt to move him up in class has not worked including when taken to Qatar for a valuable prize. Handicap debut here.

8

Shraaoh

He has improved with all three starts, most recently when accelerating clear of his six rivals in a 2000m maiden on an all-weather surface. Some pedigree issues for this longer trip but he's clearly got potential.

9

Southdown Lad

His two 2016 efforts have been good third placings in two strong handicaps over around 2000m. His pedigree suggests that this longer trip should suit, something that can't be said of all his rivals.

10

Navajo War Dance

Failed to win as a two-year-old, but was well backed on his debut this season for his new trainer, easily winning that weak-looking maiden. In much deeper here, but the stable continue to go well.

11

Soldier In Action

No problems with this distance having run really well over further at Chester last month. However his last two starts don't provide much encouragement.

12

Midhmaar

He has finished a close-up second in both starts this season - at Sandown each time though one on soft ground and one on fast ground. His pedigree is not short on stamina so this trip should be fine.

13

Point Of View

Already proven over this distance, a positive when so many of his rivals are not. That came when he won a 2400m maiden on the sand at Kempton, gaining a narrow victory but with first and second clear of the rest.

14

Guy Fawkes

Always in control of a 2000m maiden on his only start this season. He obviously has talent but may only be running in this tough handicap because his owner (The Queen) will be at Ascot to watch.

15

Danehill Kodiac

Closed down last season with two victories and ran an encouraging fourth in a hot handicap on his 2016 return, but didn't show much sparkle last time. Not guaranteed to improve for this extra distance.

16

Juste Pour Nous

He is consistent and he handles this distance fine but he is  surely vulnerable to some less exposed contenders.

17

Second Serve

His only win came in a weak maiden but he has since proved himself useful in handicap company over this sort of distance. At Goodwood last week he tried to lead throughout and kept on bravely when headed.

18

Nietzshe

Looks happy on soft ground winning two handicaps on those conditions earlier in the season. A solid fourth in a Lady riders' race at York last time, but this is much tougher.