Connections of Magical Memory are excited to see the classy sprinter beginning what they feel could be a memorable campaign in the Connaught Access Flooring Abernant Stakes at Newmarket on Thursday.
The son of Zebedee leapt from decent handicapper to Group One performer in 2015 for trainer Charlie Hills.
After winning the Stewards' Cup at Glorious Goodwood, Magical Memory went close to lifting the Betfred Sprint Cup when third to Twilight Son at Haydock in September.
Hopes are high Magical Memory can develop into one of the top sprinters in 2016, with the Duke Of York Stakes and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot high on the agenda in the first half of the season.
"He should go well. He's such a good moving horse, so better ground would suit," said Sam Hoskins, racing manager to owners Kennet Valley racing manager.
"He's done really well from three to four. The plan is the Duke Of York and then the Diamond Jubilee, but he should run well on Thursday.
"He's got the best form in the book and he's unexposed. We're all very excited about him. It's all about the future but, that said, hopefully he can go well.
"He's fit enough to do himself justice and we feel he's improved over the winter. We are cautiously optimistic he should go well."
Hills reports Magical Memory to be ready for his first run and believes he is still on the upgrade.
"I think he'll come on for the run. He worked round Lingfield and worked fine," said the Lambourn handler.
"It's a good spot for him to start and I think he's still improving."
Mattmu's only poor run of 2015 came in Haydock's Sprint Cup, but he had shown himself to be extremely smart, especially with some cut in the ground.
He won the Group Three Phoenix Sprint at the Curragh and was placed in both the Duke Of York Stakes and the Nunthorpe at York.
His trainer Tim Easterby is looking forward to another good campaign.
"He's in good form and he should like the ground," said the Malton handler.
"Hopefully he'll run well. There's a bit left in the tank for another day."
Baccarat made a winning comeback after 16 months off the track when successful at Meydan in February.
It was his first start since leaving Richard Fahey's stable to join Godolphin and his trainer Charlie Appleby is expecting a good run.
"We were delighted with Baccarat's run out in Dubai and he has shipped back in good form," Appleby told www.godolphin.com.
"His win at Meydan wasn't surprising because his work beforehand had been so good. He had been working with Safety Check and Jungle Cat, so we were confident that he would be competitive.
"We will be keeping an eye on the ground. He has a bit of form with cut in the ground but we wouldn't want to see much more rain.
"I think he can run a good race at this level."
Stepper Point has competed almost exclusively at five furlongs throughout his career, but his trainer William Muir feels it is worth giving him another go at the longer sprint distance.
"I'm trying him back over six furlongs. As a two-year-old he had one run at Warwick which was over almost six furlongs and he made all the running from the highest draw," said Muir.
"He could not have won more decisively. George Baker got off him that day and agreed that he would definitely stay six furlongs.
"As he won his Listed race over five, we've never really thought about going over six furlongs. Myself and the owner discussed it and we thought if he gets a soft lead he might just get away with it.
"I've been keen to try him back over six. He might even be 10 times better over that trip."
Maarek may be the oldest horse in the line-up at the age of nine, but he showed he could still mix it when an encouraging third to Mobsta, who renews rivalry, in the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster last month.
His trainer Evanna McCutcheon was delighted with the effort and was pleased with the rain that fell at Headquarters on Tuesday.
"We were delighted with the rain that was at Newmarket on Tuesday. The sun was quite strong on Wednesday morning but hopefully it won't undo all the good work for us," said the Tipperary handler.
"He's come out of his race at Doncaster very well and we're very happy with him.
"We had to bring him over to let him take his chance."
Jack Dexter turned in a poor effort in the Cammidge, but his trainer Jim Goldie is expecting a much better performance now he has had the freshness taken out of him.
"He was disappointing last time, but he chased the pace and ran with the choke open first time out," said the Glasgow handler.
"He was beaten three furlongs out and Ryan (Moore) was not hard on him after that, so in some ways that's a positive.
"He's come out of the race well and he'll have to turn up on his A game to be a player, but he seems in grand form at home. I'm pretty hopeful.
"He ran well in the race last year (when fourth) and conditions will suit. I'm looking forward to it.
"Jim Crowley rides and I used him when he was a jump jockey based in the north as one of Harvey Smith's boys."
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