1

Alpha Delphini

His five career victories include one over this course and distance in handicap company. He is also capable of mixing it at a higher level and his recent third in a G2 at Haydock - packed with today's rivals - showed just that. Fast ground suits.

2

Ardhoomey

Narrowly beaten by two top Irish sprinters in his two starts this year, not getting a good trip most recently. He's not an easy ride and he needs to be delivered late but chances if the gaps appear at the right time.

3

Cotai Glory

Although some of his best form has come on a slow surface - including when a close second in this race last year - his trainer is convinced that this dual G3 winner is best on quick ground. He hasn't hit peak form in two 2017 starts.

4

Final Venture

An eight-times winner who landed two nice handicap prizes over 1200m at Meydan earlier this year. He has run very well in two decent sprints at Haydock since his return, leading from the gates over 1000m last time. He's reliable.

5

Goldream

Very effective on fast ground as he showed when winning this in a tense finish in 2015. Placed in two red hot sprints this season including at Haydock last time despite being slow from the gate. Older horses like him have a good record in this.

6

Gracious John

Ran well at Ascot on his only previous start here though over 1200m. However he struggled behind Marsha in a G3 at Newmarket last time and his best turf efforts have come on a slower surface than is likely here.

7

Just Glamorous

Led all the way in a G3 at Chantilly last September and with Marsha 3 lengths second that form looks very good now. However in three starts since he has only beaten one horse to the finish - not very encouraging.

8

Medicean Man

A popular 13-times winning sprinter who was only 2 lengths behind Profitable when sixth in this race last year. He also won a Meydan handicap sprint early this year but he would be breaking a few records if he managed a G1 win as an 11-year-old.

9

Muthmir

The type of seasoned sprinter that often does well in this speed battle. He had a disappointing 2016 but has been in much better form lately and his last-to-first acceleration in a G2 at Chantilly earlier this month was really impressive.

10

Ornate

Has a low winning strike-rate with just one success but has moved to a stable that have a good record with sprinters. He came close to a G3 victory on his first start of this season but slightly disappointing since. Fitted with cheekpieces today.

11

Profitable

A really brave performance saw him win this race last year, on soft ground. He hasn't built on that since and, though an encouraging second to Signs Of Blessing at Deauville on his 2017 return, he was getting weight from that rival.

12

Signs Of Blessing

Faster since having been gelded including a terrific close-up fifth from a tricky gate in the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint and he looked better than ever when giving weight and a beating to some smart rivals at Deauville last month.

13

Take Cover

From a stable that do well with sprinters. A terrific front-running performance saw him win a G2 at Goodwood last summer and his recent encouraging return to action suggests that he may be peaking anytime now.

14

Washington DC

Won the Listed two-year-old race on this day two years ago and a close third in a G1 over 1200m at this meeting in 2016. He has again shown this season that he's a decent speedster, but may just be vulnerable to one or two in this red hot event.

15

Willytheconqueror

Twice a winner of handicaps early last year but those both came on a slow surface and he has also tended to struggle when faced with stronger company. Not a likely winner, surely.

16

Marsha

Consistent and an increasingly effective sprinter, winning a G1 at Chantilly last October and then surging through to land a strong G3 at Newmarket last month, an excellent performance under a G1 penalty. Predicted fast ground will be ideal.

17

Priceless

Looks to have improved this season, thrashing her rivals in a Listed event first time and, after racing too freely at Newmarket, she then beat 11 rivals in a G2 at Haydock last month. Very happy on fast ground, she races close to the speed.

18

Lady Aurelia

An explosive performance saw her lead from gate to wire in a G2 over 1000m at Royal Ascot in 2016, following up in a G1 at Deauville. Valid excuses for a Newmarket failure and at her brilliant best at Keeneland on her 2017 return.