Spotlight Arguably top of the current staying division, winner of three top races over 2m-2m4f last season and clearcut reappearance winner in a 1m6f Listed race this April; withdrawn plenty of times due to fast ground, including twice at Royal Ascot last week, but his sixth in this race last year was among his best form; 2lb higher than last year (when he was also ridden by 5lb claimer) and probably vulnerable for win purposes but should be seriously involved.

Spotlight Won the competitive Melrose Handicap at York (1m6f) last August; showed promise for 2m this term before duly raising his game a notch to win useful handicap at Haydock on his first crack at this trip, collaring Golden Flame in the final strides; 4lb rise far from rules him out, given he still has potential as a stayer; drawn wide but a telling challenge would not surprise if he's okay on the surface for this AW debut.

Spotlight Seventh and third (from an even wider draw than today) in the last two runnings of this race; very reliable and he's never been in better form than when third last time in the Chester Cup under leading claimer Harry Davies; has career-high mark too but should be bang there once again.

Spotlight Had wind and gelding operations over the winter and seems all the better for it; rallied for short-head win at Wolverhampton (1m6f, AW) in April and has run well over 1m5f, 1m4f and 2m4f (seventh of 19 at Royal Ascot) on last three outings; can front-run but needs to get over from wide draw.

Spotlight Reliable and an improved performer at 1m3f-2m on AW in December-April, including at this track for last three placings; tried cheekpieces on turf debut in Listed race at York (1m6f) two weeks ago after nearly two months off, which was an improved effort on the figures but he came last of six; perhaps has more to give now returned to AW but it is needed.

Spotlight Well beaten early in career on sole AW start; highly progressive last June-September, winning five handicaps on the way and impressive in five-runner race at Haydock (1m6f, good to firm) on final occasion; below form at Newmarket six weeks ago on reappearance but could be more potent with that under his belt; seriously considered on first go at 2m.

Spotlight Ridden this season by Callum Hutchinson with wins at Salisbury (1m6f), Chelmsford (1m5f, Polytrack) and Chester (1m5f), doing it in some style on last two occasions; upped to 2m at Chester two weeks ago for another improved RPR, albeit unable to get in a blow in tactical race; needs extra but he may still have more to give.

Spotlight Record of 7-16 on AW; fifth and 15th (suffered interference) in the last two editions of the Plate; lots of 2020 and 2021 form gives him a very big shout and he also won a conditions stakes this January, before two lesser efforts; subsequent wind surgery needs to spark a revival.

Spotlight Highly progressive, most notably on Kempton Polytrack, before a flop at Haydock in May; wore first-time blinkers (replacing cheekpieces) when 12th at Royal Ascot 11 days ago, from wide draw and disputing the lead over 1f out; while that was a creditable effort, he needs to resume improvement.

Spotlight Has not made a serious impact this year and there has been little reaction from the handicapper; ran respectably at Royal Ascot 11 days ago, which he needs to build on and there is some encouragement from his fourth in this race last year off 2lb higher (he was also fifth in 2018); promising claimer Benoit De La Sayette is booked.

Spotlight Made all three times in small fields last season, including on Polytrack on one of his two runs on AW; pipped by Valley Forge at Haydock (2m; 2lb higher today) on penultimate outing, before seemingly finding 2m4f too far at Royal Ascot 11 days ago; needs a second look.

Spotlight Close up in late 2020 in his only two AW runs; won smoothly at Chester last August when upped to 2m; reappearance suggested that he is an improved performer this term, which has not been backed up in his two starts since but he pulled hard in the 2m2f Chester Cup and lost all chance when hampered at Epsom three weeks ago; interesting.

Spotlight In fine form with minor honours in good 1m6f/2m handicaps at Musselburgh, Haydock and Royal Ascot on last three outings; last year's tenth in this race (not beaten far in a bunched finish) suggests he is effective here and capable of being on the premises if he gets the breaks.

Spotlight Close third on Polytrack in his only two AW runs, including on latest outing; upped to 1m4f since last May as a 7yo and he's never gone beyond that, which leaves plenty of guesswork when assessing his prospects.

Spotlight Fourth in the 2016 Vase, sixth and third in the 2017 and 2018 Plate but finished last in 2021; while the big revival in his fortunes (first Flat wins since 2018) here last winter came over 1m4f, this trip still looked okay for him in the spring; well beaten on soft ground six weeks ago, which he needs to put well behind him, but a case can be made.

Spotlight Defied a mammoth absence to win at Chester (1m5f) in May 2021 and took minor honours in four of his six starts later last year, in the process showing he stays 2m; not disgraced in 2018 on first AW start but tailed off last November on second attempt; that's the big concern but trainer had an excellent Royal Ascot.

Spotlight 10yo; won this race in 2019 and the 2m5f Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot in 2020; seems a lesser force on Flat and over hurdles in the last 16 months or so, which the handicapper has made allowances for but other candidates are higher up the list.

Spotlight Peak AW efforts were in December 2020; went close on Wolverhampton Tapeta (2m) on reappearance in April and he's well treated on that too but has not been at the same level in his four turf starts since; case can be made but others are more persuasive.

Spotlight Won at Chelmsford in 2019, with his only other AW run when 17th in this race last year; his lack of impact this season has not prompted much reaction from the handicapper; last week's tenth of 19 at Royal Ascot (blinkers replaced cheekpieces) was much more like it in form terms and he might have been stretched by the 2m4f but others are preferred.

Spotlight All four AW wins have been on Lingfield Polytrack in winter months, latest January 2021; has not accomplished as much at 1m6f-2m as over 1m4f; several creditable shows this year but the first-time headgear needs to provide some extra impetus.