Spotlight Unbeaten in 6f and 7f handicaps (good to firm, good to soft and good), leaving it late over C&D in July and again delivered at just the right moment to follow up in a warm York handicap in August (two of those in the frame close up in Group races since); the likely strong pace will be ideal back at 6f and in the thick of it under penalty (raised same amount in future).

Spotlight Top-of-the-trees in the best sprint handicaps down the years, winning the Stewards' Cup in 2020 and the Gold Cup in 2022; failed to beat a rival here 12 months ago but the weight has fallen off his back since and his run at the Curragh last week was encouraging; could well have a decent crack at this; refitted cheekpieces replace regular visor.

Spotlight Has yet to win a handicap but he's met with some bad luck in running, including in a useful 6f race at Thirsk (good to firm) in May; things went better on his return from a break at Ascot (5f, soft) recently when despite having to be switched he ran on into a close second; he looked ready for another go at 6f there and quicker ground may well suit better; due 3lb rise in future.

Spotlight Has cut it fine when winning three 6f handicaps on good to firm this year and perhaps unsuited by making the running for his one defeat, at Ripon in August; was impressive in the way he made up the deficit at Thirsk recently and although 2lb badly in under a penalty he's far from exposed.

Spotlight Made all in 6f novice in May; took time to get to grips with handicaps but his Doncaster win (6f, soft) last week was his best form yet; goes unpenalised and although soft ground might have played a part last week he now looks open to improvement.

Spotlight Sole win over 5f as 2yo but he's had a say in good handicaps at both sprint trips this summer, not getting the best of runs at York before soft ground wasn't ideal at Ascot recently; not ruled out.

Spotlight Can lead; his close fourth in the Gold Cup two years ago is very relevant form; out of sorts in 2023 but he ran well on his comeback and the return to front-running with a switch in headgear saw a revival at Windsor (6f, good to firm) on latest start; 2lb badly in under penalty but he can't be ignored given his past form here.

Spotlight All three runs for this yard at 6f, winning two of them and looking well suited by the stiff test at Carlisle (soft) 23 days ago; 1lb badly in under penalty in a much more competitive race on quicker ground but he does have some potential for better and his yard won this last year.

Spotlight Four wins this year and he was well on top when winning the Great St Wilfrid consolation race at Ripon (6f, good) last month; not so effective at Thirsk since, even allowing for the 7lb rise, but it may be too soon to think this mark is beyond him.

Spotlight Has had some excuses since his 6f win at Doncaster (good to firm) in June but he's still 4lb higher and he needs something new to be involved on his course debut.

Spotlight Well held in the Silver Cup in two of the last three runnings (out of sorts 12 months ago) but he was beaten only 2l in the Gold Cup (good) in 2022 and is in good form this time round, having done well from an unfavourable draw at York and another useful effort in the Portland at Doncaster last week; not far away.

Spotlight Six of his last seven starts have been at Chester, winning over 5f (good) in July and nailing it from the front on heavy (7f) last week; better handicapped now than when beating only one home in the Gold Cup last September but this is a tough call.

Spotlight First win came in a humble AW classified in early 2023 but he's a different horse now, having won four times since, the latest at Sandown (5f, good) in June; however, he rarely runs over 6f now and stamina will be tested in this company.

Spotlight Finished a close second in the Bronze Cup in 2021 but he was a long way back in this race last year and his two C&D wins came in less competitive races than this.

Spotlight Another old faithful of the sprint division; has yet to run poorly here and hasn't been far away in each of the last three runnings of the Gold Cup (third in 2021); on a losing run of more than two years though and unfortunately has run enough good races in 2024 to keep him high in the weights.

Spotlight Ex-Archie Watson; would have finished closer in a good Windsor handicap (6f, good to firm) in August but for being hampered but he hasn't looked ahead of his mark since winning off 1lb higher at Doncaster in May; needs extra for the change of scenery.

Spotlight Modest win record but he's very capable in these big-field handicaps, having been beaten just over 2l in the Gold Cup (good) in 2022 and close up in this race last autumn; place chance at a price.

Spotlight Has dropped a long way in the weights since making his debut for the yard in April but he's yet to get within about 4l of the winner and is 0-12 on turf; has worn a hood; first-time cheekpieces today.

Spotlight Involved in two tight finishes in less competitive races at about 5f in 2024 but he hasn't run over 6f since finishing second in a C&D maiden last autumn so others clearly have less to prove on the stamina front.

Spotlight Three 6f wins in 2023 but he's had a fairly slow time of it this year and he was disappointingly off-kilter at Ripon, a track where he excels, last time out.

Spotlight Did well to win at Haydock (6f, good) in July and he wasn't well drawn there last month; time still on his side and although he might have been happier with rain about he still has potential off current mark.

Spotlight Successful 5f debut at Carlisle but Group 2 races over 6f at Royal Ascot and York proved beyond him last summer; has plenty to prove on return from an absence and easier handicaps await later.

Spotlight Often leads; multiple 5f wins but he's never really hacked it at 6f, even allowing for a close fourth in the 2021 Bronze Cup; needs much more than in this race last year, when making the running before fading.

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