King's Stand Stakes: runner-by-runner guide

1. Acklam Express (Nigel Tinkler/ Rowan Scott)

Excellent second in a Group 2 at Meydan in February but only fourth of five in a Chester conditions event last month. Faces an uphill task here.

2. Arecibo (Robert Cowell/ Rossa Ryan)

Smart gelding who got back on track when third to King's Lynn in the Temple Stakes at Haydock last month. Others still preferred.

3. Equilateral (Charles Hills/ Kieran Shoemark)

Gained his pattern-race breakthrough at Meydan in February 2021 before finishing a good fourth in the Al Quoz Sprint at the same venue the following month. This is no easy ask, however, after 14 months off.

4. Existent (Stuart Williams/ Marco Ghiani)

Landed back-to-back AW handicaps at the start of the year and posted easily his best run since when just denied in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket in April. Plenty more is required in this grade, however.

5. Golden Pal (Wesley Ward/ Irad Ortiz jr)

US raider who finished only seventh in the Nunthorpe at York last August but is unbeaten in three runs since. Returned with an impressive front-running success in the Grade 2 Shakertown Stakes at Keeneland in April and holds leading form claims.

6. Khaadem (Charlie Hills/ Jamie Spencer)

Smart gelding who made all in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket in April, just holding on to beat Existent by a neck. Needs another step forward if he's to repeat the feat here.

7. King's Lynn (Andrew Balding/ David Probert)

Better than ever when landing the Temple Stakes at Haydock last month by a head from Twilight Calls. Will need to progress again though if he's to follow up in this higher grade.

8. Lazuli (Charlie Appleby/ James Doyle)

Smart gelding who resumed winning ways in a Group 2 at Meydan in February, beating Acklam Express by 1½ lengths. Much respected for top yard after his break.

9. Logo Hunter (Michael Browne/ Seamie Heffernan)

Four-time winner in 2021 who got back on track when second to Brostaigh in a Listed race at Naas last month. Irish challenger is no forlorn hope.

10. Man of Promise (Charlie Appleby/ William Buick)

Emphatic winner of the Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint at Meydan before finishing a creditable third in the Al Quoz Sprint there later in March. Still low mileage, so he can make his presence felt.

11. Mondammej (Antony Brittain/ Cam Hardie)

Yet to add to his five wins in 2021, but he wasn't disgraced when fourth to King's Lynn in the Temple Stakes at Haydock. Hard to make a case for upped in grade.

12. Nature Strip (Chris Waller/ James McDonald)

High-class Australian gelding who comes here on the back of an all-the-way victory in the T. J. Smith Stakes at Randwick in April. He shouldn't be underestimated.

13. Ponntos (Miroslav Nieslanik/ Tomas Lukasek)

Czech raider who returned much improved with an all-the-way victory in the 5f Prix de Saint-Georges at Longchamp last month. One for the shortlist.

14. Saint Lawrence (Roger Varian/ Andrea Atzeni)

Arrives on back of a creditable sixth in the Prix du Gros-Chene at Chantilly earlier this month but he's winless since 2020 and blinkers need to spark a big improvement if he's to strike in this company.

15. Tis Marvellous (Clive Cox/ Adam Kirby)

Likeable sort who is a four-time C&D winner. Looked rusty after seven months off when sixth to Khaadem in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket in April. Should step forward, and he's no forlorn hope for place purposes.

16. Twilight Calls (Henry Candy/ Ryan Moore)

Has returned an improved model, and he posted an excellent head second to King's Lynn in the Temple Stakes at Haydock (5f) last month, conceding first run. This demands more but he's still low mileage and needs considering.

17. Mooneista (Jack Davison/ Colin Keane)

Arrives in excellent nick, finishing second to Brad The Brief in the Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh last month. Irish raider has something to find on form but this smooth traveller is still much respected.

18. Winter Power (Tim Easterby/ David Allan)

Took her form up a couple of notches when landing the Nunthorpe at York last August. Yet to reproduce that form in three subsequent runs, including on her return in the Temple Stakes, but a contender if back to her best.

Timeform Analyst Verdict:

Golden Pal failed to fire when only seventh in last season's Nunthorpe at York but Wesley Ward's US colt is unbeaten since and well worth another chance to prove himself a top sprinter on these shores. Australian-challenger Nature Strip has the form to play a leading role too and could prove his biggest threat, with Twilight Calls and Man of Promise appealing as the pick of the home challenge.

1. Golden Pal
2. Nature Strip
3. Twilight Calls