Godolphin, who have won three out of the four of the last runnings of this event, rely on the Frankie Dettoripartnered Grandera and Sydenham.
Grandera is a tough indvidual and, apart from boasting a win from Paolini in the Singapore Airlines Cup at Kranji last month, his efforts as a three-year-old include a second to Medicean in the Eclipse Stakes and a similar position behind Saakee in York's International Stakes.
But the principal threats to the selection should come from Marcus Tregoning's Nayef, winner of last season's Champion Stakes at Newmarket but only third to Rebelline and Bach in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh, and Banks Hill.
Now that the ground is beginning to dry out, Banks Hill, who landed the Coronation Stakes at last year's royal fixture and also recorded a game Breeders' Cup success, will have his supporters.
On his seasonal reappearance, the Andre Fabre-trained colt ran a pleasing race when third to Best Of The Bests and Poussin at Longchamp.
You can't help feeling sorry for Henry Cecil. His horses have not been up to his usual high standards in recent seasons and one Sunday newspaper tried to retire him - a story that the top drawer handler refuted with as much vehemence as he could muster.
He can answer his critics by capturing the ultracompetitive Royal Hunt Cup with Sea Star (4.20, nb).
Unlike some of his rivals, Sea Star is comparatively lightly raced. His prospects were highlighted in the Victoria Cup over a furlong shorter trip at the Berkshire course last month, but, like his trainer, fortune did not smile.
He failed to get a clear run that day and finished fourth to Scotty's Future.
Sharp-eyed punters who saw what happened, took the hint and cleaned up the next time the colt ran in a Listed race at York.
Sea Star's chances were further advertised when Vintage Premium, who finished third at York, went on to score twice.
