1

Brando

Enjoying a terrific sprinting season, most recently when outspeeding 22 rivals in a prestigious handicap at Ayr. He has also won at G3 level, and has run really well at this track. Soft ground would be ideal.

2

Don't Touch

Seems capable enough at a Group race level and was only beaten two lengths in a G3 over this course and distance last time, coming under pressure early but responding well. This is a stronger event however.

3

Growl

A three times winner including here at Ascot much earlier in his career. His rating has been rising through this season after a string of fine sprinting efforts, though he has been involved in some hard races and others may be fresher.

4

Jack Dexter

Has performed well in this event before, only just getting beaten in it back in 2013 - his best run of that season and clearly thriving on the soft ground that day. However he'll need to improve notably on some modest efforts in 2016.

5

Librisa Breeze

Runs his best races on this track, winning twice over 1400 here this season. Most recently he produced an amazing late surge from what looked an impossible position to land a high-grade handicap. All his starts have been over further, but he doesn't look short of speed.

6

Mobsta

His four career wins have all come on soft ground over this distance including a G2 winning strike at The Curragh back in May. He failed to make much impact on his return after a 133 day break earlier this month, hanging right under pressure.

7

Signs Of Blessing

This French-trainer speedster is enjoying a very rewarding season, most recently when grabbing an early lead to win a 1300m G1 at Deauville. In June he had also raced prominently when a close third in a G1 over this course and distance.

8

The Tin Man

Having only his sixth career start - and his first in Group company - he finished a fine fourth of 20 in this last year. He's made further progress in 2016 and was finishing fast when second in a G1 at Haydock last time. Best on good ground.

9

Twilight Son

Always prominent off a modest pace he held off Hong Kong's Gold-Fun to win a G1 over this course and distance in June. Way below that on his only start since when the fast ground probably didn't help. Very talented.

10

Donjuan Triumphant

It is encouraging that he was at his best at this time last year including when speeding to a 5 1/2L victory at Maisons-Laffitte in a G2. Some encouraging runs this season though he wasn't at his sharpest last time out.

11

Mr Lupton

Yet to strike a serious blow when tackling Group class company, though he did run better than his odds may have suggested - especially after receiving an early bump - when fifth in a Haydock G1 last time. Others look preferred.

12

Shalaa

Has become a winning machine since, landing his last six starts - including two G1's. A pelvic injury kept him away from the track, but he returned to win a G3 over this course and distance recently, not having too hard a race then.

13

Mecca’s Angel

One of Europe's very best sprinters as she showed yet again when winning York's G1 Nunthorpe Stakes (1000m) for the second consecutive year in August. She has raced almost exclusively at 1000m so Ascot's demanding 1200m does raise questions.

14

Quiet Reflection

The winner of seven of her nine starts she is a superb and consistent speed machine, most recently seen when decisively winning a G1 (1200m) at Haydock last month. Reportedly a few kilos heavier after a short break but that was planned and the trainer is optimistic.