King’s Stand Stakes Marlborough’s horse-by-horse guide

1 Battaash 8-13 fav One of the fastest horses in the world on his day, explosive when breaking the track record in last year’s Nunthorpe. A deserved odds-on favourite, far and away the one to beat.

2 Equilateral 12-1 Strong traveller whose best form puts him in the mix for the places. Has good form banked, and is a lively each-way chance. Beaten at odds-on at Meydan in February.

3 Hit The Bid 40-1 Without a win in nearly two years. Useful sprinter on his day, but likely to find this contest too warm on his first start of the year.

4 Rocket Action 40-1 Built a very progressive form profile on the all-weather last autumn. Has clocked

some smart closing splits, and can be finishing well, but has plenty to find still.

5 Sergei Prokofiev 40-1 Never really got going as a three-year-old last year, and interesting that he has been kept in training as a fouryear-old. Has a run under his belt; could surprise.

6 Tis Marvellous 28-1 Has won two of his three starts over today’s course and distance, and looks to save his best for Ascot. Rates a very lively outsider behind the favourite.

7 Well Done Fox 28-1 Very busy two-year-old, ran just twice at three, and ran OK on his comeback in the Palace House. Too much to do here.

8 Glass Slippers 4-1 Had the benefit of a sizeable

draw bias at Longchamp when winning the Prix de l’abbaye last year; she could be exposed here.

9 Kurious 25-1 Built a very impressive record over five furlongs at Sandown, but has so far been unable to replicate that form elsewhere; could struggle here.

10 Shades Of Blue 25-1 Did not look in love with Newmarket’s Rowley Mile last time out, but has run well at Ascot in the past. Has a squeak in the first-time blinkers.

11 Liberty Beach 10-1 Raced freely when winning the Cecil Frail over six furlongs last time at Haydock. Kept to fillies-only races in past two starts, has plenty to do now in open company.