Kensington Palace Stakes

Tough and reliable 6yo who made a sound return to turf when fourth to Soft Whisper (Spirit Of The Bay second) over the straight 1m here 39 days ago; tends to be delivered late and will need to get the breaks but she'll be running on if the leaders go too hard.

2-2 as a juvenile in 2019 and, in common with a few from the stable lately, she made an encouraging return from a long absence when third in 1m2f Chelmsford novice 13 days ago, looking very threatening at the top of the straight before no extra late on (took keen hold); that qualified her for this race in the nick of time and she leaves the impression the drop back to 1m could help; very interesting if stall 20 doesn't prove too tricky.

Third in the Sandringham off 4lb higher at this meeting in 2020; placed once from three starts in Dubai at the beginning of this year and made a creditable return to Britain when close sixth of 15 in Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m, good to firm) in first-time cheekpieces (retained) 46 days ago; drawn widest.

Four wins in 2020 included a Group 3 at Newmarket (1m2f, soft) in October; that remains her best effort and she hasn't been close to that level when third in 1m2f Listed events at Nottingham (just behind Technique) and Ayr (beaten just over 12l) this spring; well treated on anything like her best form, particularly when Harry Davies's 5lb claim is taken into account, but others have less to prove.

Paid her way last year with two handicap successes, including when seeing off a few of these rivals over the straight 1m here (good to firm) in September; respectable fifth to Soft Whisper here on reappearance and may strip fitter for the run; stable in good form.

Reserve; in good form, building on Sandown second when scoring in small field at Haydock (1m, soft) a week ago; fine on good to firm but has a 5lb penalty in a much deeper race now.

Sole win in 16 starts came on AW; respectable efforts in 7f turf Listed events on both starts this year but Improvised was 3l ahead of her at Musselburgh latterly and receives weight from her this time; Tom Marquand 4-9 for the stable this year but it's not easy to make a case for her to be well treated.

0-9 since debut win but has gone very close at Listed/Group 3 level, albeit not having to be at her best to do so on her 1m2f Nottingham reappearance; ran poorly when dropped to the extended 1m at Epsom (Group 3) 11 days ago; interesting jockey booking but others arrive with more pressing claims.

Consistent when placed in all four starts over 1m-1m2f last year; showed enough speed to win over 7f on her recent Chelmsford reappearance (second past post but awarded race) but she will prove at least as effective back at 1m; has a handy draw towards the inner; another who has to enter the reckoning.

Has record of 3-6 on AW compared to just 1-11 on turf; latest Beverley fifth was no more than respectable and it would be a bit of a surprise if a second turf success arrives in a race as competitive as this one.

Upwardly mobile miler who ended her 2021 campaign with a four-timer (two turf, two AW); hasn't added to her tally this year but she's recorded three good efforts, notably when failing by only a head to peg back Soft Whisper over the straight 1m here (good) last month; nudged up another 3lb, though.

Chased home stablemate Lola Showgirl in this on good to firm 12 months ago; more good efforts in defeat later in 2021 and deservedly got her head back in front when overcoming a wide draw and some trouble in running on 7f Chester reappearance (soft) six weeks ago; the handicapper hasn't missed her with a 6lb rise but she's still much respected.

Reserve; two 1m wins for David O'Meara last year and struck at just the second time of asking for hew new stable over 1m at Newmarket (good to firm) last month; only fifth at York (7f) since, though, and she'll have to race from 3lb out of the handicap if getting a run.

Very lightly raced 4yo who returned to form with a near miss at Haydock (7f, soft) last month; not in the same form when only eighth at York (7f again) since; return to 1m may help but others are more compelling.

All three wins and most of her racing on AW, quickening up well to collar one who looked like she'd got away for latest success over 1m at Lingfield six weeks ago; whether she's as good back on turf remains to be seen (also perhaps a slight doubt whether she'll stay this stiffer 1m) but her yard's handicap runners at this meeting always merit respect.

Struggled in the mud on her debut but she has shown progressive form in four runs since, bumping into a subsequent Listed winner on handicap debut (1m, good to firm) before ending 2021 with a cosy success at Kempton (7f, AW) in November; good chance she has more to offer; high on the shortlist.

Not quite up to Listed/Group level but she is useful and was a creditable fourth over 1m at Gowran last month on her somewhat belated first attempt at a handicap; that doesn't suggest her mark is lenient, though, and Haziya is the more obvious of the yard's pair.

Triple winner in France last term but has been unable to sustain her early progress, including when well held in Listed races on both starts for new yard; cheekpieces worn last time are retained; hard to fancy.

Failed to score in five starts for Michael Halford but she's much improved for this yard, readily winning Leopardstown handicap on reappearance and good third of 27 at the Curragh last month (both 1m); fast ground would be an unknown (raced only on good or softer) but there's every chance she has even more to offer for her new stable; solid contender from a low draw.

Didn't finish out of the first three in her first ten starts, including two wins at around 1m3f (fast turf/AW); given her overall consistency, a disappointing run at Lingfield (1m2f) on Good Friday can probably be forgiven but her effectiveness over this much shorter trip has to be taken on trust; cheekpieces go on for the first time.

Progressive over 6f/7f last summer; form dipped on her next three starts but she was well and truly back on the up when 2l second of 12 in 7f Musselburgh Listed race (good) ten days ago; well treated back in a handicap (new mark due to be 10lb higher) but the trip is an unknown.

Found further improvement and took her strike-rate to a healthy 4-8 when readily seeing off Scottish Summit (won comfortably next time) at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) 46 days ago; up another 6lb but could have more to give; player if her stamina holds now stepping up to 1m for the first time.