1

Nayef Road

Creditable but well beaten runner-up to Stradivarius in the 2020 Gold Cup. Has since twice got closer to him over shorter trips but finished last on his two most recent outings. Needs to return to his best.

2

Rip Van Lips

Trained in Germany where won G2 over 3200m impressively last month. Yet to race over further and this is a tough assignment.

3

Spanish Mission

Smart performer. Won G2 Doncaster Cup and Yorkshire Cup since joining Andrew Balding last summer. Stays at least 3600m. Best on a sound surface. A live contender.

4

Stradivarius

King of the stayers. Tremendous record at Ascot and going for fourth successive win in this race. Has a turn of foot. Warmed up by winning G3 Sagaro Stakes at Ascot in April. Now a 7-y-o but will be hard to beat.

5

Trueshan

Impressive winner of G2 over 3190m at Ascot last October. Satisfactory prep race when second in G3 over 2676m last month. Could be threat to Stradivarius if stays the trip.

6

Twilight Payment

Multiple winning 8-y-o. Career highlight when won Melbourne Cup last November. Never run beyond 3200m. A huge task.

7

Amhran Na Bhfiann

1.3 million guineas yearling. Lightly raced 4-y-o. Third in last year’s Epsom Derby at 66-1. Well beaten at Listed level last start, not certain to stay 3991m and hard to imagine him winning.

8

Ben Lilly

Multiple winning 4-y-o but out of his depth here.

9

Emperor Of The Sun

Improving and best performance yet when easy winner of Listed race over 2800m at Leopardstown last month. Longer trip may suit but needs further improvement.

10

Santiago

High class. Winner of last year’s Irish Derby. Previously won G2 Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot over 2831m then respectable third to Stradivarius in Goodwood Cup. Second to Spanish Mission in Yorkshire Cup last month. Not certain to stay this trip.

11

Serpentine

Comfortable winner of last year’s Epsom Derby. Has not repeated his Derby form, well beaten in G1 at Curragh last month. Never raced beyond 2400m and far from certain to stay the trip.

12

Subjectivist

Improved last autumn, coinciding with step up in trip. Won G1 Prix Royal-Oak over 3100m. Easily won G2 over 3200m at Meydan in March. Not run since. Could be a real threat to Stradivarius.

13

Princess Zoe

Done well and improved considerably since joining Anthony Mullins from Germany. Won G1 Prix Du Cadran over 4000m last October. Interesting but may need soft ground to show her best.