Verdict

Several of these are old rivals and Akmal had Montaff behind when making all in this race 12 months ago. John Dunlop's chestnut also finished ahead of Aaim To Prosper when runner-up to Askar Tau in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot last month, though the latter looked in need of the run that day. Blue Bajan had Buxted behind when a half-length second to Duncan in the Yorkshire Cup 13 days ago but hasn't much scope for further improvement and is likely to find at least a couple of these too strong. Holberg, winner of the Queen's Vase in 2009, is probably the form pick on his sixth in last year's Melbourne Cup but there promises to be more to come from CAUCUS this year over this trip. Now with John Gosden, the four-year-old had a progressive profile for Hughie Morrison last season and can be forgiven his run on very testing ground at Longchamp in October. Whatever his fate here, he's worth following this year.

Formwatch

Aaim To Prosper (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Tracked leading pair, carried wide as rival pulled up 10f out, stayed close 3rd until 4f out, ridden 3f out,unable to quicken over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 6l behind Askar Tau (9-1) at Ascot 2m Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.

Akmal 10-3 (8-12) Soon led, ridden over 2f out, edged right and headed over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Drunken Sailor (8-12) at Newbury 1m 5f Listed Stakes (4yo+) (1) gf.

Blue Bajan (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear in touch, not clear run when switched left and headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd well inside final furlong, held near finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Duncan (9-2) at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gd.

Buxted (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, outpaced when not much room over 2f out, soon lost place, no impression final furlong, 5th of 8, 4l behind Duncan (9-2) at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gd.

Holberg (UAE) 16-1 (8-6) 6th of 23, 6l behind Americain (8-8) at Flemington(AUS) 2m Grp 1 hcp (1) sft in Nov.

Montaff 14-1 (9-0) Tracked leading trio, closed 5f out, ridden 3f out, switched left 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Times Up (9-0) at York 1m 6f Listed Stakes (4yo+) (1) gd.

Nehaam 9-2 (8-4) Keen, mid-division, effort over 2f out, ridden to chase winner 1f out, gaining towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Akmal (8-4) at Newmarket 2m Grp 3 (1) gd in Oct '09.

Caucus 10-1 (9-2) 8th of 9, 13l behind Celtic Celeb (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 7f 3yo Grp 2 (1) sft in Oct.