Clever Cookie
Standard-bearer for a small Yorkshire yard, this ex-hurdler didn’t win his first Flat race until he was six but quickly proved a Group-class stayer, especially on soft going. This step up in distance ought to help him, given that he has so often finished strongly. Closely matched with a few of these. Finished a length behind Flying Officer here in October and although he edged that one out for second in the Sagaro here in April, the other horse is 5lb better in at the weights now. Beat Curbyourenthusiasm half a length in the Yorkshire Cup last time, wearing cheekpieces (retained here) for the first time.
Curbyourenthusiasm
Progressive handicapper who did well to run Clever Cookie to half a length on his Group debut last month, especially since that rival had a fitness advantage. Tends to start slowly, which will make life difficult for him in this big field with only a short home straight. Might be better suited by a drier surface.
Flying Officer
Unbeaten in three starts last year, when he made up into a classy stayer, ending the year with victory here on Champions Day, holding off Clever Cookie by a length. Only third in the Sagaro on his reappearance but was conceding 5lb to Mizzou and Clever Cookie, while he meets them on level terms here with just three parts of a length to make up. Should be sharper for that run. Extra half-mile poses a question but he is versatile as to ground and should be able to race handily, which is probably the right tactic here.
Fun Mac
Makes his reappearance, which has been the time to catch him for the past two years. However, the best of those wins was in a handicap off 84 and this is several leagues above that. Showed some ability in Group races last autumn and was a close second in a handicap over this course and distance at the last Royal meeting but needs to take a big step forward.
Griraz
Ex-French 11-year-old has yet to show the necessary level of form in 78 races, though he was able to win three times in Listed company at a mile and a half in 2012 and 2013. More recent runs have been at a lesser level. Makes his debut for sharp trainer David Pipe and, perhaps tellingly, for windmill-tilting owner Fergus Wilson. On offer at 250-1 and still not tempting.
Max Dynamite
Ex-hurdler, second in the Galway Hurdle last summer, has made up into an excellent stayer, beating Mizzou and Clever Cookie by daylight at York in August and beaten just half a length in the Melbourne Cup after trouble in running. Only third of four at odds-on when he reappeared at Sandown last month but may have been in need of the outing and could be a lot sharper this time. Ground should be fine and we may not have seen the best of him.
Mille Et Mille
Fair handicapper and Listed winner sprang a big surprise when landing a top-class staying race at Longchamp in October, thanks to an enterprising ride from the front. That did not seem a strong race and the fancied horses flopped, so he still looks a rung or two below this level unless his jockey is somehow able to pull off a similar trick. Well beaten under a hold-up ride on his reappearance.
Mizzou
Good-quality stayer who won the Sagaro here for the second time in April, pipping Clever Cookie and Flying Officer. Failed to build on last year’s win when only seventh in this race, looking one-paced even for a stayer. This slower surface will help and a repeat of the more forward tactics used last time could also make a difference. Four lengths to make up on Max Dynamite from August.
Pallasator
Quirky but talented, he can boil over in the preliminaries and that must be a concern in this atmosphere, though he was calmer on his reappearance. Bulk of his form suggests he has a bit to find and only fourth behind Flying Officer here in October, albeit after a troubled run. Reappearance success came against just three rivals, with the favourite failing to show his worth.
Scotland
Easy to dismiss, since his only success was in a low-value contest three years ago, but that could be a mistake. Unexposed at this sort of distance and ran on into sixth in this race last year. Could do better again with this soft ground making it still more of a test. Did at least as well as could be expected when beaten just a head in a much shorter contest on his reappearance here last month. Wears a hood for the first time.
Sheikhzayedroad
Consistent performer at a slightly lower level and managed to find a winnable Grade One in Canada in 2014. Unexposed at staying distances and interesting to see him win easily at a mile and three-quarters in Dubai this spring. No disgrace to be well held in a much stronger, shorter race there when last seen. Wouldn’t like to see him dropped out at the back of such a big field but those tactics are quite likely with his stamina still open to question. Versatile as to ground but probably best on a faster surface.
Suegioo
Winless since Chester Cup of 2014, which was only his second success and rather handed to him by the wayward antics of a rival. Has often run with credit in Group company but has been repeatedly beaten by rivals like Pallasator, Flying Officer, Mizzou and Clever Cookie.
Burmese
Improving handicapper at the end of last year and did well when tried in Group company in the Sagaro, ploughing on for a fair fifth after trouble in running. Done for speed when last seen but this will suit him better. Still likely to find a few too strong at this early stage of his career.
Order Of St George
The hot favourite from the Aidan O’Brien yard that has won this six times in the past 10 years. Nicely bred and became an obvious contender for this when landing the Irish Leger by 11 lengths in September. Those behind have done little for the form since then but that may not matter. Made a pleasing reappearance on ground that was probably too quick when winning at Leopardstown a fortnight ago. Has been held up at the back for his last two starts and such tactics could leave him vulnerable if the pace were steady. Otherwise, deserves his well-fancied status.
The Twisler
Hit form last August, winning twice including a Listed race at Goodwood, which, interestingly, was his first attempt on soft. Has failed to show that level of form in his last three starts and this is asking an awful lot, even allowing for a return to his best. Silvestre de Sousa rides for the first time and should help maximise what chance he has.
Tiberian
French raider won twice at a low level last year but is winless since moving into Pattern company. Looked a stayer when tried at two miles last year, so may be able to do better than the modest form he has shown at shorter trips recently. Requires a huge leap of faith.
Wasir
Stunned better-fancied stablemate when making all in German Group Three last month, easily his biggest success so far. This race is unlikely to unfold so kindly for him and the much softer surface will probably not suit.
Kicky Blue
Kept on for second at 50-1 behind Mille Et Mille in French Group One last autumn, when it paid to race handily. Winless run has endured for two years. Does not really belong at this level.
