The QEII looks a tasty renewal: Big Rock romped home when let loose on the lead last year. He’s not here to defend his crown – however, a field of 13 go to post where pace, ground and freshness could be the deciding factors.

#1 Charyn: four wins from six races this season, including the Queen Anne. Greatly improved as a 4-year-old and ground versatile. He’s been the star miler this year.

Suspicion is he may be seen to best effect on a better surface, though. His two biggest performances on the clock came in June on a faster surface.

It’s been a long season and he had a tough race at Longchamp a fortnight ago. Still a massive run back then to finish runner-up, eventually, where he had too much to do.

Remains the one do beat, but a short price in this race, given there’s opposition to beat with a good record on soft ground.

#2 Checkandchallenge: Improved for a gelding operation. Ran credible in this race the last two years. Still shouldn’t be good enough.

#3 Facteur Cheval: Runner-up in this twelve months ago. Followed-up with winning the Dubai Turf. Handles soft ground seriously well and comes here fresher than some of his other key rivals.

A return to a softer surface and possible a good pace to lead him into the race could see him improve from his third at Goodwood, when last seen; arguably a strong piece of form, on a much faster surface.

He ran a massive race last year here, waiting too long for his effort, with the winner long gone, but finished much the best. Serious chance today.

#4 Lord Massus: Only a listed winner do date, although placed in a couple of Group 2’s. Unlikely to be good enough to feature.

#5 Poker Face: Likely one of the pace horses. Runner-up on three occasions in Group 2 company this year. Unlikely to enjoy an uncontested lead.

#6 Prague: Lightly raced and supplemented after recent impressive Group 2 victory at Newmarket. Impressive mid-race move and kept going when others faltered.

Followed-up from an unlucky second at Haydock Improving and looks open to tons of progress. Certainly deserves his chance on this level.

He enjoys this type of ground as well and should benefit from a strong pace. A possible negative is the draw: far away on the outside away from the likely pace, unless Lord Massus moves forward as well and he can follow.

#7 Quddwah: Another low-mileage colt. Won the Group 2 Summer Mile here this season and also won over the straight mile last season. Intriguing; however, a career-best 82 speed rating would need him to see improve quite dramatically.

#8 Dancing Gemini: Showed so much promise earlier in his career. Unfortunate not to win the French Guineas. Disappointed ever since, and a long way beaten when last season, despite a significant drop in class.

#9 Henry Longfellow: Largely consistent, having ran to a good standard this season, apart from a disaster run in the French Guineas. Nonetheless, arguably a major disappointment that he wasn’t able to fulfil the promise he showed as a juvenile.

Probably up with the pace, and that could be a positive. But the ground is against him and he may not get home over a mile in soft conditions.

#10 Ice Max: Enjoys soft ground and was a fine winner of the Celebration Mile in August. Throw his race away when last seen and will enjoy the likely good pace. Hard to envision him good enough to win.

#11 Metropolitan: French 2000 Guineas winner. Good the ideal run that day and made most of it, holding on in a tight finish, eventually. Somewhat unfortunate not to finish a bit closer the next two times against top-class opposition, without being disgraced as 2nd and 3rd.

Unlikely he would have beaten Rosallion at Ascot, but he was a clear run denied at a crucial stage and that cost him dearly. Also not ideally placed having to delay his effort, held up behind the pace, last time at Deauville. Finished well, although couldn’t match Charyn’s turn of foot once in the clear.

The ground should make a significant difference to his chances. It’ll stunt the finishing speed of his rivals, while he can quicken well enough on a soft surface. He should be ridden closer to the pace, and is ideally placed to follow Henry Longfellow and Poker Pace.

He’s been drifting in the betting all morning, to my surprise. Not sure why, and that’s a worry, because it doesn’t make sense to me. Conditions should be ideal for him and he comes here relatively fresh.

#12 Sirona: A listed winner on heavy ground when last seen. Shouldn’t stand a chance to feature.

#13 Tamfana: Progressive filly who won her first Group 1 two weeks ago landing the Sun Chariot in excellent style. The ground won’t be a worry and she looks well drawn in and around the likely pace.

She had a long enough season, though, and is a short enough price, given her overall win record isn’t all that impressive.

Summary: a wide open renewal. Charyn sets a high standard but could be vulnerable in these conditions at the end of a long season. He’s a short price

Metropolitan appeals at a huge price, while has Facteur Cheval has the ability to go one better than twelve months ago, with conditions set to be ideal. Prague looks potentially a special colt.

5pts win – Facteur Cheval @ 13/2 SM
5pts win – Prague @ 12.5/1
2.5pts win – Metropolitan @ 17/1 SM