David O'Meara is keen to see if 'talking horse' Lord Of The Land is a true miler in the Betway Lincoln at Doncaster on Saturday.
Backed into favouritism in the past fortnight, the former Andre Fabre inmate has a similar profile to stablemate Mondialiste, runner-up in this race 12 months ago before winning a Group One in Canada.
While O'Meara is keen to dismiss comparisons between the two, punters have made it clear they expect the yard to gain compensation.
"He was bought in France. He had some good form there, he won five races," said O'Meara, who has moved during the winter from Nawton to new premises at Warthill, just outside York.
"He's done a lot over the winter and has pleased in his work. We're looking forward to it.
"He's obviously not without ability - how good he is has yet to be seen.
"There's a lot to find out - whether he's a true miler, or stays further or not, and whether he wants fast ground or soft ground.
"He's run on easy ground in France and run fine in it. Saturday will be a big learning curve for us.
"We're pleased with his preparation and how things have gone over the winter.
"He's probably plenty short enough now (in the betting).
"You could try to pigeon-hole him as the next Mondialiste, but he's so different from him physically."
Birdman also represents O'Meara and was a star last season, progressing 36lb in the ratings.
"He had a great year. We got him during the winter last year when we claimed him," O'Meara told At The Races.
"He had smart form at two and finished second to Olympic Glory, not beaten far. He seems to go on any ground.
"He thrived last year. He was well handicapped off 70. He loves Doncaster, he's run some good races there.
"He'd cope with soft ground, no problem. He's fit and well and his preparation has been good.
"It was always the intention to claim off Birdman and Josh (Doyle) is riding really well.
"He's looking forward to it and I'm sure he'll get on grand with him."
Richard Fahey's Gabrial denied Mondialiste last year and the Malton handler has three chances to repeat the dose with Heaven's Guest, Rene Mathis and Farlow.
Of top weight Heaven's Guest, Fahey said: "He's a legend of a horse. He doesn't mind a bit of juice in the ground. He handles it well.
"He has to do a lifetime best. He's six now and runs off 106. Can I see him winning it? I can see him running well, as he always does, but he's got to be on his 'A' game.
"Farlow has been working really well and he can run from six furlongs to a mile. His highest winning rating is 97. He's running off 102, but he has the ability to do something like this.
"He's a little bit soft, doesn't like being crowded, but a straight mile will be right up his street.
"Rene Mathis is another that needs a lifetime best. He's been training really well and doesn't mind a bit of juice in the ground."
Ryan Moore, a man in demand worldwide these days, was booked some time ago for Jeremy Noseda's Bravo Zolo, a winner at Wolverhampton in February.
"He's come out of the Wolverhampton race well, and that has worked out nicely," said Noseda.
"He's going there in good order and the ground should be suitable.
"He's drawn in two and it's fingers crossed from there, really - there's not much more we can do.
"He should appreciate the trip, the track and the ground but we know you need a lot to go your way."
Ocean Tempest won the race two years ago for John Ryan and this time has Frankie Dettori on his back.
Ryan also runs Battle Of Marathon having gone through a similar prep in Dubai to that which Ocean Tempest did two years ago.
"Frankie rides out for me at home so knows him well enough. He's over his injury - that's why we didn't go to Dubai - and it looks like the ground has come right for him, which is good news," said Ryan.
"Battle Of Marathon is a good-moving horse and is fit and ready to race.
"You'd like to think they'd both have a chance."
Godolphin have two representatives, the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Udododontu and Charlie Appleby's Secret Brief.
Of the latter, Appleby told www.godolphin.com: "I was pleased with Secret Brief's latest run at Meydan when he stayed on nicely to finish third.
"He has come out of that race well and has travelled back to the UK in good shape.
"The likely conditions on Saturday don't look to be a negative as he has won on good to soft ground in the past.
"I am pleased with his draw of 22 and hopefully he can get a good run up the rail.
"He is horse who is happier coming from behind so a big field with a strong pace where he can be covered up suits him well."
Harry Dunlop's Storm Rock was progressive last season but the trainer is hoping for a bit of rain on the morning of the race to aid his chances.
"This has been the plan for a while," said Dunlop.
"When you have a horse with his rating, who is a miler and likes soft, it's pretty obvious.
"He had one run on the all-weather but he didn't really like it so we put him away and sat tight.
"He loves the soft ground - we never really knew quite how much until the end of the season - and he'd not had his ground up until then.
"When he got his conditions he really got it together.
"He'll be my first runner in the Lincoln."
