1

Certificate

A four-times winner for this trainer - all over further than this and looking best on fast ground. A respectable fourth in a Listed event at Haydock last month, and a drop back to 1200m may suit plus a talented claiming rider has been booked.

2

Intisaab

His last four wins have come at this distance either on good or fast ground. He was a shade unlucky last time, just launching his challenge at Windsor when getting shut out. He's usually at his best at around this time of year.

3

Buckstay

Three of his five career wins have come over 1400m but he was finishing well when only 3 1/2L fifth of 28 in this last year. However unlike this time he'd had a previous start earlier in the season. 

4

Duke Of Firenze

Gained two wins over this distance earlier in his career but better known for his exploits at around 1000m and especially at Epsom's downhill track where he finished an excellent third of 19 off a career high handicap mark earlier this month.

5

Donjuan Triumphant

He hasn't shown much in two starts since joining his current stable whilst from previous history it looks as though he is best on good or slow ground, his wins in a Listed race - and a G2 in France- both coming under those conditions.

6

Lancelot du Lac

A popular ten-times winner who finished third in this dash two years ago off a 2lb higher handicap mark. He has had a break since April, running well on all of his four starts on the all-weather this year.

7

Raucous

From a stable that have won this before. He finished a close third in a G3 over this course and distance on soft ground last October and has returned in solid form in two 2017 starts. He handles fast ground but slow ground would greatly help.

8

Birchwood

He won a G2 over 1400m on fast ground in the summer of 2015. However he largely hasn't lived up to expectations since and has struggled in both his starts this year. At least his handicap mark is sinking.

9

Squats

His last win came here at Ascot but that was back in 2014 and he's failed to win in 16 starts since. Although well beaten on his only start this season, his handicap remains quite high because he often finishes close up.

10

Eastern Impact

His last win came over this course and distance. That was way back in 2015 but he has been running creditably in Group company for much of that time. This six-times winner has run well on his last two starts and looks fairly handicapped.

11

Boom The Groom

An outsider when well away from the money in this race last year. He was only 1-1/2L behind the winner when 6th in the 'Dash' at Epsom last time but maybe better when downhill speed is required than over Ascot's 1200m.

12

Outback Traveller

Gained a terrific success in this race last year and will try for a repeat off a 4lb higher handicap mark this time. He has raced just four times since and never looked likely to win, but his astute trainer has always had this target in mind.

13

Danzeno

Hasn't won since 2015 but has run some really good races including when third of 20 in a G1 here back in 2015. Can't be ignored on a track he likes even if his 2017 comeback 28 days ago was disappointing.

14

Steady Pace

Only twice a winner but he finished third in a G1 early in his career and won a 1400m event on a fast dirt surface early last year and also ran several decent races at Meydan earlier this year.

15

Shanghai Glory

Easily the best of his seven starts last season was the final one when he fought back after leading early to win a 1200m Listed race at The Curragh. He starts 2017 on a demanding handicap mark but he's reportedly been working very well.

16

Projection

From a stable who have won this race before and this gelding will no doubt have had this as a target being owned by The Royal Ascot Racing Club. His two wins have both come over this distance and he ran an encouraging first start of 2017.

17

Edward Lewis

Won a maiden over this distance last season but all starts this season have been over a pure speed trip, and last time he was only 1L behind the winner when fifth in the 'Dash' at Epsom's downhill track. Versatile groundwise.

18

Polybius

From a stable already celebrating a Royal Ascot winner this week. Off the track since third in a 1200m Meydan handicap in February, he is reportedly quirky and a tricky ride.

19

Poyle Vinnie

The usual winner of this race is lightly raced in the season up to this big sprint, but Poyle Vinnie has already raced seven times this year. He's effective at this trip and shorter and seems versatile groundwise.

20

Normandy Barriere

From a stable that doesn't win many big prizes but this gelding does seem much better at Ascot than anywhere else and last month he surged through to beat six rivals over this course and distance. Raised 4lb by the handicapper for that.

21

First Selection

Was a very smart two-year-old including a G3 win. However there have been plenty of disappointments since including in three Meydan starts this year. He drops dramatically in trip from that last Meydan start which was over 2000m.

22

George Dryden

An infrequent winner though his two career wins have both come over this distance. He ran respectably on last month's Haydock reappearance but a win here doesn't look likely.

23

G Force

Has twice competed at Ascot before and both times he has finish last. That is not very positive and though he wasn't beaten far in a Listed race at The Curragh last October and his handicap mark is getting easier he has become hard to predict.

24

Muntadab

Has run three good seconds in big field handicaps over this distance on his three starts this season, beaten less than a length each time. This tough gelding who races close to the speed deserves a change of luck.

25

Amazour

Turfwise he has only won on good or good to soft ground but he has run well on fast ground in a big field over 1600m here at Ascot in the past. He finished well after missing the break at Haydock last time, and looks decently handicapped.

26

Out Do

None of his seven career wins have come here but he's run well at this track and was only 4L behind the winner in a G1 over 1000m at this meeting last year. From a respected stable, he ran a good 4th under topweight at Newmarket last time.

27

Culturati

Has won three of his five starts including a maiden here at Ascot. He recently returned from a long break to win a Newmarket handicap over this distance without coming under much pressure. Interesting here if he doesn't 'bounce.'

28

Harry Hurricane

He's won over 1400m early in his career but has competed exclusively at 1000m this season. Only just caught when second of 17 at Musselburgh a week ago and he seems in really good shape right now.

Reserves

29

Captain Colby

Wins his fair share at around this distance and beat 19 rivals in a handicap at Doncaster last September. He races off a 3lb higher handicap mark here whilst his 2017 efforts have not been encouraging.

30

Gossiping

Has won five of his last seven starts, all in handicaps, something hard to achieve and he's obviously very progressive surviving continual hikes in the weights. Now trying an unfamiliar distance, with all his 16 career starts coming over further than 1200m.

31

Kadrizzi

He won a handicap over this course and distance last August. Inconsistent this season with some decent runs followed by some less good ones.