TODAY’S Bet365 Challenge Cup isn’t the 30-runner charge that you often associate with Ascot, with, say, a Royal Hunt Cup or a Britannia Handicap. They narrow the track in order to save ground for British Champions Day in two weeks, and that means that the safety limit for today’s race is reduced to a maximum of 18.

With the prospect of defections this morning – Raydiance ran yesterday – there will be fewer runners and therefore fewer strands to today’s formlines than is usually the case with a big handicap on Ascot’s straight track.