Gordon Lord Byron bids to continue his revival in the Friarstown Stud Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.
Tom Hogan's multiple Group One winner suffered a muscle injury on his first start of the year in Hong Kong and failed to fire on his first couple of appearances back in Europe, finishing down the field in the Greenlands Stakes and the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot.
However, he proved he is no back number with a comprehensive victory in last month's Dubai Duty Free Dash, remarkably his first ever victory at the Curragh, and he steps back up to seven furlongs on his return to the track for this weekend's Group Three assignment.
Hogan said: "I've been very happy with him since his last run and I'd say he's probably even improved since then.
"There have one or two bits of things wrong earlier in the year, but it was grand to get him right and see him win there the last day.
"Seven furlongs is probably his ideal trip. He has to give a bit of weight to the three-year-olds, but it's nothing he hasn't done before."
"The ground is good to yielding and we'd be hoping it dries out and comes back to good" - Sabrina Harty
Last year's Minstrel Stakes hero Ansgar is back to defend his crown for Sabrina Harty.
Another veteran at the age of seven, Ansgar was not disgraced in Diamond Jubilee after being ridden prominently.
"We were very happy with the way he ran at Ascot considering he made the running and was a bit keen and fresh," said Harty.
"He seems to have come out of that well and if he's back to himself and the ground is right, we think he'll run another big race on Sunday.
"The ground is good to yielding and we'd be hoping it dries out and comes back to good.
"I'm very happy with him at home, so fingers crossed."
There are three British challengers in the 11-strong field, headed by the David Nicholls-trained Sovereign Debt.
The Lady O'Reilly-owned six-year-old bolted up in the Celebration Stakes at the track three weeks ago, but connections feel he has more on his plate this weekend.
Lady O'Reilly's racing manager, James Kelly, said: "This is a much stronger race than he won the last day, when he benefited from a fantastic ride from Chris Hayes, but he is in fantastic form.
"Every runner in the race on Sunday is rated over 100, so this won't be as easy, but hopefully he's there with a chance.
"The ground is good to yielding and we'd be hoping for two drying days, which it looks like we'll get."
Also making the journey across the Irish Sea are Brendan Powell's Dark Emerald and Home Of The Brave from Hugo Palmer's yard.
The latter was supplemented after an excellent run to finish sixth in the inaugural Commonwealth Cup at the Royal meeting.
Palmer said: "He ran a blinder at Ascot and probably paid for going a little bit too quick early on. He did the best of those that were forcing the pace and it was a very good effort.
"He's in great shape and seems in the form of his life at home and we're looking forward to seeing how he gets on.
"He's won a Listed race over seven furlongs, so he certainly gets the trip.
"I would be a little bit nervous about how much rain they might get on Sunday morning - we wouldn't want it to go soft - but he's been supplemented and he's ready to take his chance."
Other interesting contenders include Bill Farrell's star mare Ramone, Ballycorus Stakes winner Convergence and Rapid Applause, who returns from a lengthy absence.
