Maximum field on cards for Balmoral Handicap

The ante-post market leaders, Zabeel Prince and Lord Glitters have stood their ground. The former was an impressive winner from Bravery at York last Friday and has lost only one of his four starts, while the latter made an eye-catching British debut for David O’Meara when splitting Accidental Agent and Raising Sand, who he could meet again, in the seven-furlong totescoop6 Challenge Cup at Ascot earlier this month.

Bronze Angel, winner of the race in 2014, could try to regain his crown at the age of eight but is not the oldest among the entries. That honour goes to the evergreen Belgian Bill, who is nine and won the Royal Hunt Cup in 2013.

Saeed Bin Suroor saddled Musaddas to win the Balmoral Handicap in 2015 and has a team of four to shuffle this time in Yattwee, Very Talented, Mountain Hunter and Big Tour. Richard Fahey also has a quartet engaged, including Gabrial, who was third to Solow in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on QIPCO British Champions Day two years ago.

Remarkable (second) and Firmament (third) made their presence felt in last year’s renewal of the Balmoral, won by Yuften, while Master The World, winner of the Betfred Mile Handicap at this year’s Qatar Goodwood Festival, is one of two possible runners for David Elsworth.

An entry of great depth also includes GM Hopkins, who was the runner-up two years ago, and Bless Him, winner of the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. Stamp Hill, Mjjack and Withernsea, the first three home in the Gigaset International Stakes at Ascot in July, are also engaged.

WHAT THEY SAY:

John Gosden, trainer of GM Hopkins:

“Old GM runs again, it will probably be his last race for us as he’s going to the Horses In Training sale. He’s in great order but the handicapper has him somewhat by the throat, which isn’t a pleasant experience for a horse but we could not be more pleased with him but are looking forward to running him yet again at Ascot.

ENTRIES IN FULL: