1

Tupi

His wins have been gained over further than this but he showed lots of speed over this trip when a strong-finishing second in a G3 at Newmarket in April. Not so close to the money in two starts since. Wants drying ground.

2

Coulsty

Versatile both ground and distancewise and, in 2014, he won a G3 over this trip on very soft ground at Deauville. He'll need to do much better than on more recent starts to win this.

3

Absolutely So

Made late headway but never threatened to make the money when fifth in a 1400m Haydock Listed race on his only 2016 start. A five-times winner from 16 starts, he should be sharper this time.

4

Buckstay

All his wins have come at or longer than 1400m (including one here) so he might not have quite enough speed. However his fast-finishing third in a prestigious 1400m handicap here last month suggests he's in good shape.

5

Flash Fire

Had plenty of these rivals behind him when a 20-1 winner of a prestigious Ascot handicap over 1400m last month. Worries over this shorter distance though it is a testing 1200m here at Ascot.

6

Interception

Higher in the weights when she convincingly landed a gamble in this race last year. She has been targetted towards this year's version and will be better for her 2016 debut but drying ground is wanted.

7

Burnt Sugar

Although he has been placed he has failed to win from 14 turf starts. Some encouraging efforts in 2015 including a near miss over this trip at Newmarket but didn't make much impact on his recent return.

8

Poyle Vinnie

Will need to settle better than he did in Listed company over this distance last month, not surprisingly fading late on. It would be a surprise if he was quite good enough here.

9

George Dryden

This is often won by horses who have had a light season. His fast-finishing and unlucky second on his 2016 return suggested he was as good as ever, and forget his latest start as he missed the break.

10

Stepper Point

Has spent much of his career competing in Group race sprints, and has won some nice prizes. However he hasn't been firing so far this season and his eight career wins have all come over shorter than this.

11

Toofi

Enjoys the hustle and bustle of big fields and now trained by a sprint expert. Found 1000m too short on his return but had been placed in some major handicaps last season. Drying ground please.

12

Humidor

An enigmatic character who has been soundly beaten in three 2016 starts, whilst only one horse at six or over has won this since 1980. On the plus side he handles slow ground and has won at Ascot.

13

Salateen

Has raced prominently in both his starts this season, though has lacked a finishing kick each time. He looks best at 1400m, so soft ground would help bring his stamina into play.

14

Ninjago

He hasn't won for over a year despite plenty of attempts. However he did briefly look like winning a 1000m handicap on his 2016 return, just running out of gas late on. This longer distance is preferable.

15

Mutawathea 

His three wins have all come on an all-weather surface but he is equally effective on the grass as he demonstrated when finishing second in a prestigious 26-runner 1400m handicap here at Ascot last time.

16

Dinkum Diamond

His trainer insists the stable is about to hit top form after a terrible start to 2016. This horse's last winning strike came when producing a powerful burst to win a 1400m handicap last October. This looks difficult.

17

Jack Dexter

Older than the usual winner of this but has winning Ascot credentials (1400m) and if it comes up very soft then his chance would grow. It was heavy when he won a Listed event last year.

18

Boom The Groom

Has a low strike-rate of just 1-18 on a turf surface. However he did run a good seventh in the 1000m Epsom 'Dash' last, withholding a winning chance until about 200m from the end.

19

The Happy Prince

A rare runner in this type of race for Aidan O'Brien and, though this one is far from being a stable star, he did run fifth in a Listed event at Naas last time giving the impression the drop back to 1200m will help.

20

Brando

Better than ever in 2016 with a first and a second, easily justifying favouritism at Newmarket before another smart performance at York. Those were over 1000m but this progressive gelding is just as happy at 1200m.

21

Outback Traveller

Hasn't won since 2014 but that victory did come here, over 1400m. He travelled well before fading late back here at Ascot last time, and gave the impression then that he might be suited to returning to this 1200m trip.

22

Shared Equity

Took time to warm up in 2016 but his second of 17 on softish ground at Epsom last time, battling back when headed and giving lots of weight to the winner suggests he's at his peak now.

23

Glen Moss

Doesn't have many secrets from the handicapper but he is a consistent sort at this distance though all his four wins have come over 1400m. Not beaten far at York last time.

24

Ashpan Sam

Trying to win the same 1200m Epsom handicap for the third consecutive year last time but it was his first start of the season and found race-fitter rivals too strong at the end. Happy on any ground.

25

Majestic Moon

He has more success over 1400m than this trip, but soft ground – which he likes - would make this more of a staying test. Ran fast until outpaced late on over 1400m here last time.

26

Spring Loaded

Has won all three starts this year, in all-weather handicaps over this distance - usually coming from the back with stylish acceleration. Has some past good turf form - including here - so must be considered.

27

B Fifty Two

A trip to Meydan earlier in the year didn't work out but he shaped quite nicely in a handicap over this distance on his return, pushed along early but responding to move into fourth of 13.

28

Accession

Has a low strike rate over this distance but did win a 1400m handicap at Newmarket in April. However, his performance  last start here is poor.

Reserves

29

Huntsmans Close

Missed this race last year when fancied after running loose before the start. He is gradually running himself into form judged by his latest second at Goodwood and his trainer is a master with sprinters.

30

Mr Lupton

Has the distinction of being the only three-year-old in this huge field. He looks right at the top of his game now having won a valuable handicap at York last time, for which he must shoulder a 5lb penalty.

31

Tatlisu

Ran very poorly last time - despite having Ryan Moore on board - and he lacks consistency. He had suddenly bounced into winning form with a late surge at Ayr last September, beating 24 rivals that day.