Sprint Stakes Runner-By-Runner Guide

Jockey - William Buick

Trainer - Brian Meehan

Group 1 Wins: 0

A shock winner of the Wokingham back at Royal Ascot in June - having been sidelined for nine months, Bacchus arrives at the Sprint Final with an outside chance at best. He saved the bookies that day at the Royal meeting denying 2/1 favourite Dreamfield by a neck, but he has not really built on that success since. He finished fourth in G3 company before finishing last-but-one in a Group 1 at Deauville, which does not bode well coming here.

Jockey - Jamie Spencer

Trainer - Kevin Ryan

Group 1 Wins: 1

The Kevin Ryan trained-Brando arrives at the Berkshire venue having enjoyed a fairly consistent season. He has only finished out of the placings in only two of his six outings this calendar year. He did not get the rub of the green in this race last year having been bumped around when trying to make progress, and with a clearer passage this time around could be in the mix towards the finish. Well fancied.

Jockey - James Doyle

Trainer - Andrew Balding

Group 1 Wins: 0

One of the big outsiders with not much form to be satisfied with. Finished eighth in this race last season having led early, faded somewhat quickly. Others preferred and hold stronger credentials. Andrew Balding calls upon James Doyle, who has had a magnificent year - winning seven of his last 35 rides, and operating at a 20% win rate.

Jockey - Ryan Moore

Trainer - Sir Michael Stoute

Group 1 Wins: 0

Dream of Dreams was sent off a short price favourite here not too long ago when finishing second to Projection in the John Guest Racing Bengough Stakes. He has finished second in all of his three most recent outings, and does hold some good form when the ground is soft - including winning a Listed Race at Doncaster this time last year.

Jockey - Adam Kirby

Trainer - Clive Cox

Group 1 Wins: 2

If the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes was held anywhere away from the Royal course, Harry Angel would probably be the 2/1 favourite. However, his Ascot nightmare continued when he got restless in the stalls and missed the break in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at the Royal Meeting in the summer, ending all possibility of winning. He returned to the track in the 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock last month and didn't appear to handle the heavy conditions as good as some of the others. Soft ground was the going in this race last year where he was also a beaten favourite. That all aside, he does hold massive raw ability, and if he can put his love affair with Ascot aside, he may actually have a very good chance of landing this big prize.

Jockey - Robert Winston

Trainer - Dean Ivory

Group 1 Wins: 1

Last year's winner has not really had a season to saviour, but will get his wish in terms on conditions this weekend. He has been crying out for soft ground all year which he will get at Ascot on Saturday - the same going in this race last year which he won by 1 1/2 lengths. Typically held up, Robert Winston will have to buy his time on this grey who has an almighty turn of foot. Well fancied for a back-to-back success.

Jockey - Harry Bentley

Trainer - Henry Candy

Group 1 Wins: 2

Limato has certainly sprung back to life this Autumn having been dropped back to six furlongs, with a quick-fire treble. Last weekend he won a Group 2 at Newmarket, and suddenly seems to be a contender in this big sprint final. Connections finally realised that after the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot in the summer, that he was not a miler and since then he has been a revelation. Surely, cannot be ignored.

Jockey - Kieran Shoemark

Trainer - Roger Charlton

Group 1 Wins: 0

Beat Dream of Dreams here at the start of the month in a Group 3 - which Limato missed due to issues over the ground. Not reached the heights many have expected him to reach including his trainer, and has only three course wins to his name (from 18 potentials). He is a gelded son of Acclamation, and should not be ruled out, but others have a better chance on paper.

Jockey - Gerald Mosse

Trainer - David Elsworth

Group 1 Wins: 0

David Elsworth saddles Sir Dancealot, who won the Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood in the summer. Finished a creditable fifth in the Qatar Prix de la Foret at Longchamp a fortnight ago, and holds a good each- way chance. Would need the ground to dry however, to bring about his best.

Jockey - Chris Hayes

Trainer - J A Stack

Group 1 Wins: 0

Emerged onto the scene when landing the Ayr Gold Cup in September (officially finished a dead heat). Pulled well clear of the remainder, of which many have since franked the form. The third finished runner up in a valuable handicap at York last weekend, and the fifth won the Epsom Dash back in June. Relatively unknown.

Jockey - Jim Crowley

Trainer - William Haggas

Group 1 Wins: 0

Another who struggled in the heavy conditions at Haydock in the Sprint Cup, Tasleet may also have an excuse from that race having been slightly hampered over a furlong out. Won the G2 Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes in May last year but has not been seen to his best since. Normally turns up this time of year, and finished a creditable second in this last year.

Jockey - Oisin Murphy

Trainer - James Fanshawe

Group 1 Wins: 3

Oisin Murphy maintains the ride from Tom Queally aboard the Tin Man who is currently the favourite for the race. He is a previous winner of this contest; back in 2016 when he beat Growl and Brando - who also lines up again here. A powerful winner of the Sprint Cup in September, he is widely well-known as a horse who loves Ascot, and is a three-time course winner. One slight drawback is that favourites do not usually have a good record in this race.

Jockey - Paul Hanagan

Trainer - Richard Fahey

Group 1 Wins: 0

Richard Fahey has had a season to forget in 2018, but would admit that his runner - Sands of Mali, could have a major say in the outcome of this sprint final. He finished second in the G1 Commonwealth Cup here back in June, so has good course form to his name. However the actual form of the race has not worked out as planned, and since that performance he has only beaten twelve rivals from a possible 45 in three races.

Jockey - TBC

Trainer - Joseph O'Brien

Group 1 Wins: 0

Joseph O'Brien sends Speak in Colours to Champions Day, looking for his first success at the meeting as a trainer. O'Brien junior sent Iridessa to Newmarket last week, who spoke the same colours as Speak in Colours when winning the Fillies Mile. This 3yo colt out of Excelebration may just be short of a few of these, and a big run is expected when carrying the Irish Flag.