Suited by good or softer ground; may have done a bit too much early when fourth of 13 behind two of these at Chester (7.6f, good) five weeks ago; will need to settle better than he sometimes does, but has the right man on board if reverting to hold-up tactics.
Has found life tough this year, mainly at Group level, but he is 2lb lower than when beaten a nose in this race last year; acts on any ground and could be ideally berthed with the stalls against the stands' rail; major player.
Loves to get his toe in as he showed when beating his five rivals at Goodwood (1m, heavy) ten days ago; however, he is 4lb wrong under his penalty and all nine of his wins have come around a bend (0-17 on straight tracks); stable runs four.
Bolted up in last season's Victoria Cup over this C&D (soft) but went missing for 470 days afterwards; out of the frame in both starts since returning (the latest back here) but this race was immediately nominated after his latest outing; likely to have his conditions and should go well.
5-5 as a 2yo but 0-11 since, including in the face of some stiff tasks; not disgraced when sixth of 13 over C&D (soft; first-time cheekpieces) four weeks ago but still looks high in the weights; stable also runs Star Of Orion.
Has enjoyed a fine season, winning five of his eight starts including at Chester (7.6f, good) five weeks ago with two of these behind; 4lb rise is not the end of the world, but he could probably do with the ground drying out a bit and it remains to be seen if the lowest draw is ideal with the stalls against the stands' rail.
First seven starts came on the AW, winning five, the latest of which was a 0-105 contest at Kempton (7f) in January; off 228 days before a satisfactory fifth on nine on turf debut at Doncaster (6.5f, soft) but needs better to win a competitive race like this from the same mark; stable also runs Germanic.
Unexposed 3yo who was having his second start back from over a year off, and first since being gelded, when beaten a neck at Doncaster last month (7f, soft; fourth has won since); already due a 3lb rise after that and is one for the shortlist.
Regular in warm handicaps like this and only just beaten at Doncaster (1m, good) on penultimate start; not disgraced in the Cambridgeshire (1m1f, soft) a week ago but has managed to win only two of his last 36 starts; others make more appeal.
Returned in July from ten months off and has run well in his last three starts, third of nine at Sandown (7f, soft) last time, but he has managed to win only one of his last 25 starts and is still 5lb higher; addition of a tongue-tie needs to make a difference.
Seems suited by Chester and again ran well when beaten less than a length by Two Tempting there (7.6f, good) five weeks ago; no problem if the ground remains testing, but another 2lb rise for that latest effort puts him 9lb above his last winning mark; others preferred.
Four-time winner over 1m-1m3f on good to soft ground in France who came closest to a first win in Britain when beaten half a length in a big field at York (1m, good to firm) in August; may have the best of the draw and a hood is now given a go, but he may prefer further.
Four of his five wins have come here, the latest by a nose over 6f (soft) four weeks ago; only 2lb higher and the return to this trip is no issue, so he has to be respected at his favourite venue.
Unexposed 3yo whose record over 7f reads 1211, his latest success coming at Goodwood in August (good to soft; form has worked out well); 5lb higher but still open to more improvement and one to be interested in.
Bolted up in a Newcastle novice (7f, AW) in June and has gone close on turf in his two outings since, on latest finishing third of nine in first-time cheekpieces (now removed) on handicap debut at Doncaster (7f, soft) just behind Golden Mind; 2lb well in and one for the shortlist.
First two wins came on the AW but he showed he could do it on turf as well when successful at Doncaster (7f, good) in July; had two of these behind when second of 13 over C&D (soft) four weeks ago; 2lb higher but may still prove the pick of the stable's four runners; respected.
Won his final start at two and first at three, but put up his best performance when second of 16 in a warm handicap at York last time (1m, good to firm; form has worked out well); more will be needed from 4lb higher; handles good to soft, unraced on softer.
Lightly raced 4yo who has run well in three handicaps since returning in May from another absence, as when beaten a head in a 0-90 classified event over C&D (soft) four weeks ago; up 4lb, though, and will need to find a bit more for the fitting of cheekpieces.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4,5
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
