Decided to give it a shot and think to have gotten a couple of things better than THOUGHTSLEADER.
GOLD:
1. Jakob Ingebrigtsen: proved his full recovery in Monaco and is in shape of his lifetime.
2. Josh Kerr: not a good look falling while on his way to a 1:46 800m. Still remains one of the two people on this list to have beaten Jakob twice.
MEDALS:
3. Timothy Cheruiyot: continuously improving his form, 3:28.71 in Monaco.
4. Brian Komen: right behind T. Cheruiyot in Monaco, great kick with a 2nd fastest last lap of the race, only 0.7s slower than Jakob. Was on his way to outkick T. Cheruiyot untill locking up arms with him and coming off his rhythm. Either way, proved that he can kick with the big dogs at a fast pace.
5. Cole Hocker: confident win at the US trials with a great kick. Might medal, if not too far behind with 200m to go.
6. Yared Nuguse: was chasing Jakob in Monaco and paid the price in he last 200m. Will get outkicked by even more runners in Paris, if makes the same mistake again. Should run for bronze and not gold, if wants to medal.
DARK HORSES:
7. Neil Gourley: consistent results this season, 4th at the Pre Mile in 3:47.74 and 5th in Monaco in 3:30.65. British trials winner.
8. Reynold Cheruiyot: Kenyan trials winner with a great kick at a moderately slow pace. Has yet to prove he's able to run faster than his 3:31.96 SB.
9. Hobbs Kessler: 3rd at the US trials in 3:31.53. Might be not too far from medals if keeps his head cool.
FINALISTS:
10. Narve Gilje Nordas: 6th in Monaco with 3:31.06. Fastest last 100m of the race (13.3s). Seems to be shaping up right on time.
11. Oliver Hoare: 6th in Oslo with 3:31.08, 7th in Monaco with 3:31.07.
12. Niels Laros: 2:14.37 PB in the 1000m (U-20 WR). Nothing to lose, a lot to prove. Good kick with a 3:31 SB potential.
THE REST:
13. Azeddine Habz: 3:30.80 SB and 3rd in Oslo, 3:31.79 and 8th in Monaco. Seems to be losing form.
14. George Mills: 3:31.57 SB and 7th in Oslo.
15. Abdisa Fayisa: Ethiopan champ with 3:32.37 SB.
16. Jochem Vermeulen: 3:33.30 SB and surprising 2nd at the Euros.
17. Ruben Verheyden: 3:33.40 SB and 4th at the Euros.
18. Robert Farken: 3:32.20 SB + 3:33 twice this year, yet only 8th at the Euros.
19. Maël Gouyette: 2nd at the French championship with 3:32.67 and 10th in Monaco with 3:33.29.
20. Samuel Tefera: 2nd at the Ethiopian trials in 3:32.81.
21. Adel Mechaal: 3:33.58 SB, 5th at the Euros, Spanish champ with 3:34.
22. Federico Riva: 3 x 3:33 and once 3:34 this season, Italian champ, but only 15th at the Euros.
UP FOR A DISSAPOINTMENT:
23. Isaac Nader: after a good showing in Oslo only 10th at the Euros and 11th in Monaco with 3:34.42.
24. Pietro Arese: same as Nader. 3:32.13 SB, 3rd at the Euros, but then 12th in Monaco with 3:35.19.
25. Stewart McSweyn: great 3000m race in Paris, but has not run faster than 3:35 this season. Should have focused on the 5k.
PERSONAL DARK HORSE:
Raphael Pallitsch: 3:33.59 SB, 6th at the Euros, 2nd fastest last 400m, only Jakob ran faster. Could have been 2nd at the Euros with a minimally better timed kick.
