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Ryan Moore believes his mount Whistlejacket will take plenty of beating in the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.
A winner of the Group 2 July Stakes on the July Course here earlier in the season, he went on to finish runner-up behind Cheveley Park Stakes favourite Babouche in the Phoenix Stakes before gaining a first top-level success in the Prix Morny at Deauville last month.
Aidan O'Brien's Group 1 double-seeking son of No Nay Never is a general 8/15 chance to follow up his recent French success and regular jockey Ryan Moore, who was in fine form when riding a treble on the Rowley Mile yesterday, believes he'll take plenty of beating this afternoon.
Speaking with Betfair. Ryan Moore said: "Whistlejacket is my ride, and he is the one to beat in the field. He has been very active this season, but he has taken his form to a new level on his last three runs."
"After winning over six furlongs in the July Stakes in good style, he then finished a good second to Babouche who we take on (with Lake Victoria) in the Cheveley Park earlier on in the day. That is good form.
"He managed to land his first Group 1 at Deauville when last seen in the Prix Morny, seeing off Coventry Stakes winner Rashabar.
"Whistlejacket is the one they all have to beat on form, having already won in slow conditions."
The Charlie Appleby-trained Shadow Of Light looks like the biggest danger to the short-priced favourite, with Godolphin's colt attempting to go one better than when second to Cool Hoof Luke in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York.
The son of Lope De Vega was a non-runner in last weekend's Group 2 Mill Reef at Newbury, but with drying conditions seemingly in his favour, Appleby is expecting a bold showing from Shadow Of Light, who bids to emulate his three-parts brother Earthlight on the Rowley Mile.
Appleby www.godolphin.com: "Shadow Of Light was an intended runner at Newbury last week but we gave that a swerve after the ground turned heavy. Conditions could be on the slower side again here, although a bit of ease wouldn't be a concern. He has come forward since York and should be a contender at this level."
