1

Desert Encounter

Usually competes over further but he did pass beaten rivals to grab third behind Ulysses and Barney Roy in a G1 over this distance at Sandown in July. Most recently he gained his first group win, finishing fast in that  2200m G3 at Newbury. A scorching pace would help.

2

Highland Reel

Winner of the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase in 2015, and a close second in 2016, this tremendously tough colt scored the latest of his six G1 successes over this distance at Ascot in June, racing prominently as usual and showing great courage at the end. Soft ground would be an issue, however.

3

Maverick Wave

He likes to bowl along in front which is lucky because that will be his role for his Godolphin stablemate Barney Roy
here. A six times winner in his career but with no winning hopes here.

4

Poet's Word

Handicapping earlier in his career but was a Goodwood G3 winner on his penultimate start and then finished fast from off the gallop when a close runner-up in a G1 over this distance at Leopardstown last month. Good ground then but he looks versatile surfacewise.

5

Success Days

A tough and genuine front-runner who may well get the soft or muddy ground that he thrives on. He showed what he's capable of when leading at a sensible gallop and holding off his rivals in a G2 at York in July. This is much tougher, however.

6

Barney Roy

This big colt has barely put a foot wrong and that includes a G1 winning strike here at Ascot (fast) in June. Up in distance here but he's proven at it, and was finishing fastest of all when a close second to Ulysses in a G1 at Sandown in July. Challenges from midfield. 

7

Brametot

Powerful finishes from off the pace saw him win two French G1 Classics this season, over 1600m at Deauville and 2100m at Chantilly. Without much luck in running he ran a good fifth in the Arc at Chantilly last time. Can miss the break, but got away on terms that day.

8

Cliffs Of Moher

Came with a strong surge down the Epsom straight to lead in the Derby in June, only to get run down late on. Has been kept to G1's since generally running well and he didn't have much room when a close sixth at Leopardstown (2000m) last time.

9

Cracksman

Really coming into his own now, a decisive winner of around 2400m G2's on his last two starts, at York and Chantilly with a total winning margin of almost ten lengths. Has a long powerful stride and should easily handle this drop in distance, and meeting older horses for the first time.

10

Recoletos

This French-trained colt has won a G2 and more recently a G3 over this distance - at Saint-Cloud and Maisons-Laffitte. The ground was very soft each time so we can assume he is best on those conditions. Clearly very smart but he faces his biggest challenge here.