A full field of 18 runners is also set to go to post in the first running of the £100,000 JLT Cup at Newbury on Saturday.
The extended two-mile handicap was introduced this year in response to industry demand for an enhanced programme for stayers, supported by the Newbury board of directors, and is also welcomed by bookmakers. The £100,000 prize fund includes a £30,000 contribution from the British Horseracing Authority's Development Fund.
Heading the weights for the two-mile handicap is the 2017 Ebor Handicap winner and Melbourne Cup fifth Nakeeta (Iain Jardine/Callum Rodriguez (3), 9st 10lb), while the warm favourite is Irish raider Stratum (Willie MullinsIRE/Robert Winston, 8st 12lb), a staying-on third last time out in the two and a half-mile Ascot Handicap at Royal Ascot.
Amazing Red (Ed Dunlop/Frankie Dettori, 9st 6lb) was the impressive winner of a competitive handicap over a mile and six furlongs at Newmarket in June, but needs to bounce back from a disappointing effort last time out when 10th in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle.
Sir Chauvelin (Jim Goldie/George Downing, 9st 2lb) finished well when third in the Northumberland Plate and was subsequently not beaten far when 10th to his stablemate and full-brother Euchen Glen in the John Smith's Cup over an extended 10 furlongs at York on July 14.
Owner Hamdan Al Maktoum has two leading contenders in Quloob (Owen Burrows/Jim Crowley, 9st 2lb), fifth behind Amazing Red at Newmarket, and lightly-raced three-year-old Almoghared (John Gosden/Andrea Atzeni, 8st 6lb).
Almoghared is a half-brother to 2014 Oaks winner Taghrooda and finished fourth behind Kew Gardens when last seen out in the G2 King Edward VII Stakes over a mile and a half at Royal Ascot.
Trainer Alan King has been enjoying a great run with his Flat performers in 2018 and is represented by Coeur de Lion (Martin Harley, 8st 9lb), a close sixth in the Ascot Handicap last time out, while Gary Moore has an intriguing contender in Kloud Gate (Harry Bentley, 8st 9lb), a Listed-placed performer when trained in France and seventh in the Ascot Handicap on his first Flat outing for the Sussex trainer.
Other leading contenders include Buzz (Hughie Morrison/Liam Keniry, 8st 11lb) and Percy's Word (Simon Crisford/Paul Hanagan, 8st 9lb), who have both shaped up well on the all-weather recently.
