Paco Boy is expected to make up for a disappointing effort in the race 12 months ago when he lines up for the totesport.com Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.
Richard Hannon's classy performer started favourite for the Group One last May, but could only finish fourth to Virtual after having an untimely setback.
However, he put that behind him when winning the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot the following month.
‘He did have his complications last year in the morning before the race. He wasn't quite right, he pricked his foot, and we ran him thinking we'd get away with it but we didn't,’ said the trainer's son and assistant Richard Hannon junior.
‘He's a better horse than that as he showed when he won at Royal Ascot. Hopefully he'll go into it trouble free this year.’
Paco Boy returns to Newbury after winning the bet365 Mile for the second year running at Sandown last month.
‘He's in super form and has been bouncing after his Sandown race,’ he told the British Horseracing Authority's BHA Xtra.
‘He's done his routine work well since and he'll just have one piece before Saturday, but nothing too strenuous.
‘Arguably that was the best performance he's put up in his life in the Sandown Mile. He got the trip better than he did last year, won it easier than he did last year and he looked probably a better horse than last year.
‘He's in great form and we think he'll go very close.’
Michael Stoute is looking forward to having a good season with Zacinto, although he admits Paco Boy is likely to have the edge on race fitness at the weekend.
‘He came back a little bit sore from Santa Anita. It didn't take very long to clear up,’ said the Newmarket trainer.
‘We always had the Lockinge in mind as his starting point and the preparation has gone very smoothly.
‘I think it's always a disadvantage when you're taking on something like Paco Boy who has already had a start this year.
‘Zacinto is a horse we've always liked and he's always shown plenty of natural ability.
‘We don't think he's reached his full potential and we're hopeful this will be a good year for him.’
The Cheka was beaten a total of four and three-quarter lengths in third place by Paco Boy at Sandown but his trainer Eve Johnson Houghton believes the lightly-raced four-year-old can reduce the arrears.
‘Paco Boy is a Group One winner and is a very good horse. He's also far more experienced than The Cheka,’ said the Blewbury handler.
‘My horse had only run three times before he went to Sandown and had a long lay-off from the time before.
‘He was fairly green and inexperienced. Kieren (Fallon) hadn't ridden him before. I'm hopeful we can make it up on a straight track.
‘I just think he's going to get better and better all year. The run at Sandown will have really brought him on. It has sharpened him up mentally and physically and hopefully we can get much closer to Paco Boy this time. I think he's got a great chance.
‘The ground at Newbury should be perfect and there should be no excuses on that front.’
