Coral Stewards' Cup: five for the shortlist

It should be highlighted that the performance of Commanche Falls – who won this race in both 2021 and 2022 – was out of the ordinary; he was the first since Sky Diver in the '60s, and is one of only six horses in total to have done it. 

Michael Dods' star was only 2 lb higher on the second occasion, whereas last year's winner Two Tribes is 7 lb higher this time around. Having said that, he's clearly been aimed at peaking in all of these big handicaps, and should go close once more. 

Stablemate Run Boy Run was fourth last year, but the same rise in the weights may scupper his chance, for all his run here on Tuesday over five furlongs suggested he would relish the return to this trip.  

It would be no surprise to see the other Richard Spencer-trained runner, Candy, run well at big odds; he banged his head on the stalls at Royal Ascot, and then the saddle slipped on Tuesday, but he looked a sprinter going places when beating Sondad by nearly two lengths in the Ayr Silver Cup last September. With some ground worries, however, he might be one to side with back up in Scotland (assuming it rains at some point). 

Instead, it's the Easterby runner who makes the shortlist. He's 12 lb higher than that Sepember run, but has really hit his straps this season and his recent Curragh win suggested he might not have reached his ceiling just yet. Think a slightly older Hoof It (who won this off 10st in 2011). 

Although the race has changed a little over the years, it seems worth noting that 12 of the last 13 winners carried 9st 6lb or less, which suggests the task facing Dubai Bling, Northern Champion and Sondad could be tough.  

Similarly in-form runners with claims include Sky Bet Dash winner Stratusnine and Newcastle scorer Tuco Salamanca, with the last-named shading the vote due to his course experience.   

His connections celebrated a last-gasp sprint winner here on Tuesday and this progressive four-year-old – who was seventh over seven furlongs here last year – looks sure to appreciate the frenetic nature of this week; Dylan Browne McMonagle is an eye-catching jockey booking. 

Add Annaf to staking plans. Despite winning a Group 3 at the end of last season, he is 7 lb lower than when getting no luck in this race 12 months ago, and has caught the eye in recent defeats behind Tuco Salamanca and Dubai Bling. 

Clearly, this feature could list several more horses of interest, but the final nod goes to Completely Random who was eighth in last year's renewal. He's 4 lb higher this time around, but showed he was progressive with a brace of Lingfield wins over the winter. 

His jockey Ryan Moore reported that he had nothing more to give when well-held in the International a week ago, but that was over seven furlongs and this looks an ideal race for a horse who went very close when only beaten a head by Double Rush in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot.