William Haggas believes former South African star Cold As Ice has plenty in her favour as she bids to secure her place on All-Weather Championships Finals Day with victory in the Unibet Cleves Stakes at Lingfield.
The four-year-old was a dual Group Two winner in her native country before switching to the care of Haggas towards the end of last year.
Fourth at Wolverhampton on her British bow in November, Cold As Ice emerged victorious at Chelmsford before Christmas and is favoured by the conditions of this race as she drops back to six furlongs.
Haggas said: "She's very well, she doesn't have to carry a penalty now and she's got a good draw, so it's all positive right now.
"She's been lugging round a 10lb penalty in her first two races here, but she doesn't have to carry that any more.
"She's back in trip, but the owners tell me she is going to be better over six furlongs."
He added: "I thought it was pretty good performance at Chelmsford and she should keep improving.
"This run qualifies her for Good Friday and I would say this will be her last run before then."
Cold As Ice is officially the highest rated runner in the field on a mark of 110, with Chookie Royale, who is on a hat-trick for Keith Dalgleish, next best on 109.
The Mario Hofer-trained Gamgoom is an interesting German raider in the fast-track qualifier for the Sprint on Good Friday, while Marco Botti runs Golden Steps, who could be off on his travels at the end of the month.
Botti said: "Golden Steps will run here before possibly going to Qatar again at the end of February for the race he was fifth in last year.
"He looks in good form. He showed his class at Goodwood but I think he was a bit over the top after that, so the break will have done him good.
"From a fitness point of view, he is ready to run but I think he is better suited to six furlongs on a straight course rather than around a sharp track like Lingfield. He usually takes a while to find his feet and that can be a problem at Lingfield, especially if you are drawn wide."
Botti is also represented in the Listed coral.co.uk Winter Derby Trial by Grendisar.
Victory in this 10-furlong heat guarantees a place in the field for the £200,000 Coral Easter Classic on March 25, with Grendisar having finished third in that event in 2015.
The six-year-old won this race on the way last term and Botti is hoping for a change in fortunes after finishing second in his two most recent outings.
The trainer said: "Grendisar goes to Lingfield on Saturday and seems in great form.
"He runs his best races around Lingfield and his last couple of performances are definitely the best form he has shown for a while.
"He loves the surface and we hope he will go close again. He is definitely capable of winning if things go right."
Charlie Appleby's Festive Fare appears the one to beat after winning on each of his three all-weather outings to date.
James Tate's in-form mare Lamar also lines up, along with Roger Charlton's Captain Cat, winner of the Mile event on 2014 Finals Day.
