1

Aqabah

A winner first time out over 1000m at Ascot last month, then fourth behind rivals here Brother Bear and US Navy Flag over 1200m in Listed class at The Curragh. Supporters will hope this faster ground helps plus he's got a hood fitted.

2

Arawak

He romped to an easy maiden race victory over three rivals at Belmont Park on a muddy dirt surface over 1000m last month. That race had been intended for turf and US trainer Wesley Ward believes that he will be even better on grass.

3

Brother Bear

He won easily on his debut at Leopardstown, floating happily on the fast ground there. Much slower conditions and tougher company in a Listed event (1200m) at The Curragh last time but he coped well with that and again won nicely.

4

Chookie Dunedin

Not strongly fancied according to the betting but he knew his job for his debut and, fast from the gates, made all the running to hold on for a narrow margin over this distance at Ayr. This does look a much stronger event.

5

Connery

Only beaten by a more experienced rival on his debut in a maiden event earlier this month. Encouraging though this is a huge step up in class just 17 days later.

6

De Bruyne Horse

Appears to be improving rapidly, winning his last two starts - both at this distance. Most recently he responded strongly to pressure to win a Conditions race at Epsom, his trainer observing that he managed to win that despite hating the track.

7

Denaar

This expensive purchase looks to be very fast. He has won both his starts latterly when showing courage to win a decent event over 1200m at Newbury. That was on a soft surface but he could be even better on quicker ground.

8

Haddaf

All his three starts have been over around 1000m and he has given the impression each time - especially in Listed company at Sandown last time - that a move up to this distance would be helpful. Still looking for his first win but he definitely has ability.

9

Headway

After a promising first start over 1031m, he stepped up to a similar distance to this to win a maiden at Chester, showing some snappy acceleration off the bend into the straight.

10

Ivy Leaguer

Showed little promise in much lesser company than this earlier this month. Impossible to give him a realistic chance here.

11

Murillo

Improved hugely from race one to race two - just 12 days later- with this big, immature Irish-trained colt easily disposing of some promising rivals in that 1000m maiden. On breeding no reason to worry about 1200m here.

12

Nebo

Unloved in the betting at 25-1 but that didn't stop him making a winning debut over this distance at Newbury last month. There didn't appear to be any fluke about that win and the anticipated quicker ground at Ascot should not be an issue.

13

Prince of The Dark

Made favourite for a Novices' race on his debut at Bath last month, and he proved to be quite an impressive winner on the very quick ground. Likely to improve for that but this is a much deeper challenge.

14

Rajasinghe

The decisive winner of a novices' event over this distance on the all-weather track at Newcastle on his career debut last month. Now needs to prove himself on the grass at a much higher level, but he's clearly talented.

15

Red Roman

Quite a few of these two-year-olds have shown front-running tendencies and this guy led from the gates to win over this distance at Newmarket last time. He apparently has a calm temperament so should cope with the vibrant Ascot atmosphere.

16

Romanised

A winner over 1165m at Navan in April on his only start, showing terrific acceleration despite looking badly in need of the experience. The form of that maiden race has been boosted since.

17

U S Navy Flag

Has made gradual race-by-race improvement though he was 4 ¾ lengths behind fellow Irish raider Brother Bear when third in a Listed race at the Curragh last month.

18

Zaman

Knew his job and showed courage when winning over this distance at York on his debut last month. That didn't look a particularly strong event at the time but his nearest victim boosted the form with an easy win since.