Aidan O'Brien expects City Of Troy will gain some valuable experience as he makes his eagerly-anticipated return in the Native Trail's Dewhurst Stakes.
The son of Justify made a winning debut at the Curragh in July and then blew the field away to take the Superlative Stakes by six and a half lengths later in the same month.
The National Stakes was then bypassed due to unsuitable ground and while the going was officially described as soft on Friday, connections are happy to take up their Rowley Mile engagement as they look to get another run in before the end of the campaign.
City Of Troy currently heads the betting for next year's 2000 Guineas and Derby, with O'Brien viewing the Dewhurst as a perfect ending to the colt's campaign.
O'Brien said: "He's ready for his third run. Obviously he was due to the go the Curragh three weeks ago and that didn't work, but everyone is happy with him.
"We always loved him and he's done everything we've asked him so far. This should be a lovely run to finish him off for the year and give him more experience.
"Everything is well with him. He is a beautiful moving horse."
Also entered is Owen Burrows' Alyanaabi, a Shadwell-owned colt who was last seen winning the Group Three Tattersalls Stakes over course and distance in late September.
Charlie Hills' Iberian was a winner last time out when taking the Champagne Stakes under Tom Marquand, the same jockey who takes the rides at Newmarket on Saturday.
Juddmonte and Andrew Balding have supplemented Mill Reef winner Array into the race where he will be ridden by James Doyle.
Eve Johnson Houghton has an entrant in Indian Run, a dual winner this term who made his Group debut when landing the Acomb Stakes at York by a length and a half in August.
Completing the field is John and Thady Gosden's Eben Shaddad, third in the Tattersalls Stakes, Richard Hannon's Vintage Stakes winner Haatem and O'Brien's Henry Adams.
Elliott's Pied Piper primed for Cesarewitch run
Classy hurdler Pied Piper will bid to continue the Irish domination of the Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket on Saturday.
Formally owned by the late Queen when twice a winner on the Flat for John and Thady Gosden, it is over obstacles where the now Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old has made his name, finishing second and third respectively at the last two Cheltenham Festivals.
With attentions turned to the level once again following a long summer absence, Pied Piper finished third on his comeback run at Killarney in late August and the Cullentra House handler has managed to snare the prized booking of Ryan Moore ahead of this main autumn objective.
"It's very interesting and we're really looking forward to it," said Joey Logan, racing manager for owners Caldwell Construction.
"He's in great form and his prep up to this has been very good, so Gordon is very happy with him.
"He is on a nice mark (96) and he's after having a good break from jumping last year. He's come back a bigger, stronger and fresher horse. It's a big ask in a big field but we're very happy with him.
"It's going to be a messy race and it's a big field as we all know, but hopefully Ryan will be in a nice position and will be happy. We're very lucky and Gordon has done a great job, we're really looking forward to having Ryan Moore riding him."
The Irish have won four of the last five runnings of the Cesarewitch, with Elliott's great rival Willie Mullins responsible for three of those victories.
Jockey bookings would suggest the William Buick-ridden Lot Of Joy is the pick of the Closutton quintet this time, with Rachael Blackmore getting the leg up aboard Jackfinbar, while hoping to join his uncle on the roll of honour is Emmet Mullins, who will saddle Cheltenham Festival winner The Shunter - who he describes as "Mr Versatility".
Noel Meade is another Irish handler more commonly associated with training over jumps and has assembled a two-strong raiding party headed by Galway Hurdle runner-up and Irish Cesarewitch fourth Jesse Evans.
Jesse Evans will be joined in the line-up by stablemate Sheishybrid, who tuned up for this by finishing second over track and trip in the Cesarewitch Trial Handicap.
Getting the better of Sheishybrid in the Cesarewitch trial was Andrew Balding's Grand Providence, who will once again be partnered by Hayley Turner as she edges her way towards 1,000 career winners.
Hughie Morrison saddled Vino Victrix and Not So Sleepy to finish second and third respectively in this 12 months ago and both are back for another crack at the prestigious handicap.
Not So Sleepy arrives after making all in Newbury's Autumn Cup last month and will now have the burden of a 4lb penalty, while Vino Victrix returns to the Rowley Mile off a mark 2lb lower than when second to Run For Oscar in 2022.
Battle-hardened stayer Tashkhan registered his first victory in over two years when thriving in the mud at Chester recently and his handler Brian Ellison is hoping conditions will allow for another bold showing off top-weight here.
David Pipe's Wordsworth was purchased with this race in mind and was seen to good effect over hurdles at Bangor 10 days ago, while Gary Moore's Goshen and the Alan King-trained Tritonic are other names jumps fans will be familiar with.
The latter will attempt to give King and owners the McNeill family a second win in the race after combining with Grumeti in 2015 and Tritonic's jockey Rossa Ryan believes he will be right in the mix.
