Far Cry, the winner of the Foster's Lager Northumberland Plate 12 months ago, was the most notable withdrawal from this year's running at today's confirmation stage.
Stablemate Heros Fatal is now the stable's only possible representative and has been installed favourite across the board with major layers.
'If Heros Fatal has recovered from his Royal Ascot run he must have a very sound chance. Time may show that he faced a very stiff task against Tony Martin's Barba Papa,' said Coral spokesman Ian Wassell.
Richard Hannon's Churlish Charm heads the weights with a welter-burden of 10st 2lb for Saturday's race, for which 25 horses have stood their ground.
Should Churlish Charm not line up, the weights may still not rise as last year's fourth Rainbow Ways is set to carry 9st 11lb.
A stable spokeswoman for trainer Barry Hills said: 'He is in that and the Curragh Cup but Mr Hills hasn't seen the entries yet and no decision has been made where he will go.'
Middleham handler Mark Johnston could be double-handed in the two-mile contest, which carries a guaranteed prize fund of #130,000, with Spirit Of Love (9st 8lb) and Virgin Soldier (7st 12lb).
The former finished third in last week's Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot where Heros Fatal (7st 10lb) was also in action, finishing third in the Ascot Stakes.
Karl Burke's Alhawa (7st 11lb) failed to finish in that race, having been brought down just before the turn for home in the four-horse pile-up that marred the event.
However, Burke has reported that the horse will be ready to race again before his unfortunate pilot Kieren Fallon.
'He had a few knocks after the race but he's improved a lot over the weekend and it's looking increasingly likely that he'll run,' the trainer revealed.
'In my eyes he was going quite nicely when he came down and this trip should be no problem. He was a staying-on seventh in the Cesarewitch for Nick Littmoden when, if anything, the ground was a bit dead for him.
'I booked Jamie Mackay a couple of weeks ago because the horse has such a light weight and he is a good young jockey.'
Clive Brittain has booked Ted Durcan for Kumatour and said: 'He's been working so well that I decided not to give him a prep race. He's spot on and I'm looking for a big run from him.'
Dave Morris is hopeful of another big run from Bay of Islands, third in the race last year.
'He's in very good form, it's a good race to go for and I just hope things go better for him than they did last year,' the trainer said.
'He was nearly brought down twice and still finished third, he is a horse who needs time to get going again so that made it worse for him when he was hampered.
'I'm pleased we've got Kevin Darley to ride and let's just hope everything goes right between now and Saturday.'
Another interesting contender is Irish-trained Ansar, who failed by just a short-head to peg back Bangalore in the Tote Chester Cup.
The four-year-old is on course for the race following a pleasing work-out today.
Roy David, racing manager to owner Michael Watt, said: 'He worked at the Curragh today and went very well. Damien Oliver rode him and he's pencilled in for the ride.
'We are just waiting to see if the weights go up.
'He rides at 8st 6lb which means him putting 1lb overweight and I never like to see that - 1lb is a length and if he gets beat half a length it's the 1lb overweight that's done it.
'We initially had the Ascot Stakes last Wednesday as his next race, but he would have had to carry 10st in that so decided to wait for this.
'I would say he's got a good each-way chance and fast ground suits us.'
William Hill bet: 11-2 Heros Fatal, 7-1 Ansar, 8-1 Virgin Soldier, 10-1 Biennale, Fantasy Hill, Kumatour, 11-1 Bay Of Islands, 12-1 Afterjacko, 14-1 Christiansted, First Ballot, Rainbow Ways, 16-1 Alhawa, Churlish Charm, Inigo Jones, Life Of Riley, Spirit Of Love, Temple Way, 20-1 bar.
Tote bet: 6-1 Heros Fatal, 7-1 Ansar, 8-1 Fantasy Hill, Virgin Soldier, 9-1 Bay Of Islands, Biennale, 12-1 Christiansted, 14-1 Kumatour, Rainbow Ways, 16-1 Afterjacko, Churlish Charm, First Ballot, Inigo Jones, Life of Riley, Rum Pointer, Spirit Of Love, Temple Way, 20-1 bar.
Ladbrokes bet: 5-1 Heros Fatal, 7-1 Ansar, Biennale, 8-1 Fantasy Hill, 10-1 Virgin Soldier, 11-1 Bay of Islands, 14-1 Afterjacko, Christiansted, First Ballot, Kumatour, 16-1 Alhawa, Life of Riley, Rainbow Ways, Spirit of Love, Temple Way, Yorkshire, 20-1 bar.
Coral bet: 5-1 Heros Fatal, 7-1 Ansar, Fantasy Hill, 15-2 Biennale, 9-1 Virgin Soldier, 11-1 Christiansted, 12-1 Temple Way, Alhawa, 14-1 Spirit Of Love, Life Of Riley, Afterjacko, Bay Of Islands, 16-1 bar.
