Spotlight: Top-class sprinter; got up close home in the Group 1 Jubilee over C&D (good to firm) in June and routed his seven rivals in the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock (soft; best effort) in September; drying ground might be a slight concern (he folded tamely in the July Cup on good to firm in between those wins) but he's clearly the one to beat if repeating the Haydock form.

Spotlight: 0-6 this year but he's been knocking firmly at the door, including in Group 1 events; tends to come from behind and ended up with too much to do when fourth in C&D Group 3 (13-8 favourite) two weeks ago; somewhat unlucky (needed to be switched) when a fine third in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup here in June; may still have potential and dangerous if getting the rub of the green.

Spotlight: Seems best on good ground or firmer and had his conditions when a fine fourth in the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket and when beating Prince Of India and seven others in the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury; presumably failed to handle much softer going when well beaten by Almeraq at Haydock six weeks ago; commands respect if the rain stays away.

Spotlight: Made Group 1 breakthrough at the third attempt in Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville (6.5f, good to firm; beat Division a short neck) in August, so a bit disappointing when only fifth of eight in the Group 1 Foret at Longchamp two weeks ago; no obvious excuses when sixth in the C&D Commonwealth Cup in June and others are a bit higher in the pecking order.

Spotlight: Lightly raced 5yo; readily beat Marvelman to win the Group 3 Chipchase at Newcastle (6f, AW) in June and was Almeraq's closest pursuer in the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock (6f, soft) last month; should give his running again but has just over 4l to find with the hot favourite.

Spotlight: Globetrotting Dane whose successes this year include a Listed event at Meydan (6f, good) and a Group 3 at Deauville (6f, heavy), posting a personal best in the latter; clearly thriving but he was only sixth behind Almeraq in the Jubilee over C&D in the summer.

Spotlight: High-class sprinter on his day; enjoyed his finest hour when winning this event (soft ground) in 2024, but mostly disappointing since and only 11th in this 12 months ago; had a confidence-boosting victory in an AW conditions race last month but he'll need more back in the highest grade.

Spotlight: Has made up into a smart 6f/7f performer this season, cosily winning Listed race at Newmarket (6f, good) in August and running well when second in C&D Group 3 (good to firm; Division and Jasour behind) last month; reliable type with each-way hopes.

Spotlight: Likeable filly with a will to win; made it five successes from just eight attempts when making all in Group 3 at the Curragh (6f, heavy; handles good to firm) three weeks ago; in deeper here but she keeps getting better and should make another bold bid.

Spotlight: Best effort when third in the Group 1 City Of York Stakes (7f, good to soft) in August, but hammered by Almeraq at Haydock next time and still a bit below par when fourth at the Arc meeting (7f, good); each-way claims if he's on a going day but well held on both runs at Ascot and carries clear risks.

Spotlight: Talented sprint handicapper; back to form when fourth in a big field at York last Saturday, but he's up steeply in grade here and his stable has two far more obvious candidates; wears headgear for the first time.

Spotlight: Reaching the veteran stage of his career but still capable of smart form; however, it's a long time since he contested a Group 1 and he was beaten by Kind Of Blue in an AW conditions race last time.

Spotlight: Lightly raced 3yo who showed a jolt of improvement when winning a handicap at Haydock (5f, soft; previous win came over 6f on good to firm) six weeks ago; clearly going the right way, but this Group 1 requires another sizeable step up the ladder and David Egan jumps ship to ride Power Blue.

Spotlight: Won Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh last year; standout effort this season when winning 7f Group 2 Minstrel Stakes there (good to firm) in July; might have been unsuited by heavy ground when behind Soul Love back at 6f last time; not ruled out entirely but he would need a personal best.

Spotlight: Sole success since 2024 came in 6f Curragh Group 2 in May 2025; beaten a long way into fourth by Almeraq in the Sprint Cup at Haydock last time and finished down the field in this race 12 months ago; opposable.

Spotlight: Ran a career best over this C&D when third in the 2024 Group 1 Commonwealth Cup, but he often spoils his chance these days by pulling too hard; only sixth in Group 3 here two weeks ago and he meets stronger opposition today.