Four-time course winner AL AASY arrives on the back of a Group 3 win at Sandown and is taken to defy a 3lb penalty and add to his 2021 win in this. El Cordobes found significant improvement when bolting up in a handicap at Newmarket a fortnight ago and the Godolphin 4yo is feared most ahead of King's Gambit, who holds leading claims on last season's best efforts and returns to action having been gelded. Last year's Irish Derby runner-up Sunway is also respected.[Ben Hutton]
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8yo who has an excellent record here, winning this race in 2021 (good to soft) and the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer (1m5f, good to firm) last August; reappeared with a win in the Group 3 Gordon Richards at Sandown (1m2f, good) three weeks ago and he holds very solid claims despite a 3lb penalty.
Very lightly raced 6yo who won the 2m4f Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup (good to firm) in June 2023; runner-up in Lonsdale Cup at York (2m, good to firm) that August and absent since; he was a class act but, even if retaining all of his ability, he may find this comeback trip to be on the short side.
Lightly raced 4yo who returned to Britain with a career-best performance to win a handicap at Newmarket (1m4f, good) a fortnight ago by about 3l; goes up in grade today but this progressive Frankel gelding, who cost 2,000,000gns in 2022 and is in top hands, could be up to the task.
Good fourth in 2,000 Guineas in 2022, then absent for nearly two years; close second in Listed contest at Ayr (1m2f, good to firm) last September and has run some respectable races in defeat since; it's possible he has some untapped potential at this trip but others have more substance to their claims.
Won the London Gold Cup on this card last year and strong form when going close in Group races on next three starts (1m2f-1m4f, good to firm); respectable fourth in Qatar Group 3 (11.5f, good) in February and gelded since; could still have more to offer and he's respected in first-time blinkers.
Lightly raced 4yo who showed improved form to comfortably win a 1m4f handicap at Southwell in December on his AW debut; however, that came off a mark of just 73 and there's a firm suspicion he'll be out of his depth today.
Runner-up in the Irish Derby (1m4f, good) last June and another fine Group 1 performance when third in the St Leger (14.5f, good) in September; below best when third on last month's reappearance here but could improve for the run and he's high on the list based on last season's evidence.
Won the competitive Melrose Handicap at York (1m6f, good to firm) last August and reappeared with short-head defeat in Group 3 over this C&D (good) last month; has raced only seven times and could still have more left in the tank, but such improvement is needed today in a hotter race.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
