Christophe Soumillon has come in for the plum ride on Seville in what promises to be a hugely informative totesport Dante Stakes at York on Thursday.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien has adopted a policy of using the best jockeys available since the resignation of stable jockey Johnny Murtagh last year, with Ryan Moore coming in for a number of significant rides since the start of the season.
Kieren Fallon rode Recital to victory in Sunday's Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown, but it is Belgian Soumillon who will be on Seville, presumably with the intention of keeping the partnership intact in the Derby at Epsom if all goes to plan on the Knavesmire.
Moore will be riding in opposition to Seville as he prepares to get the leg up on the Queen's Carlton House, who is trained by Michael Stoute.
The hugely impressive Newbury maiden winner has thrilled connections in recent weeks, according to the Queen's racing manager John Warren.
‘He was very impressive at Newbury and is held in very high regard by Sir Michael on his spring work this year,’ Warren told At The Races.
‘He had an important piece of work a couple of Saturdays ago, which was videoed by Sir Michael's team and Her Majesty was able to watch it.
‘She saw the work and saw the way he worked very nicely on the Watered Gallop. Physically there is a lot to like about him and he has progressed very well.
‘He looks in really good shape and will continue to keep improving. Sir Michael's horses have taken their time to come to hand.
‘What ever he does this week, there will be some improvement in him.’
The other key participant in Thursday's six-runner race is Henry Cecil's World Domination, who justified plenty of positive gallops reports with a taking debut at Newbury last month.
Marcus Tregoning's Yaseer chased home Carlton House at Newbury and arrives at York on the back of a fine third in the Craven Stakes.
Ashva from the Michael Dods stable and Hughie Morrison's Pisco Sour complete the small but select field.
Tregoning expects the Dante to be tough for Yaseer but is keen to know where he stands.
‘He ran a very good race in the Craven and like I've said before, he's a May 26 foal, which is a bit of a disadvantage but he is catching up fast,’ said Tregoning.
‘We have not overtaxed him to this stage and while the Dante will be tough for him, he is in good form - it will give us an idea of the level we are at with him.
‘Most of this family get a mile and a half standing on their heads - very few don't. If for some reason they don't appear to have stayed, I think they probably were not at their best on the day.
‘You look at a horse like Mawatheeq, he is by Danzig from the same family as Yaseer. Danzig is not an influence for stamina yet Mawatheeq won the Cumberland Lodge Stakes (12 furlongs) by a couple of lengths. I think 10 furlongs to a mile and a half will be no problem for this horse.
‘We are a long way from the Derby at this moment but he is in good shape and he is a nice horse from a very good family so let's see what happens.’
