Kevin Ryan is thinking of testing the Classic credentials of Syphax by aiming him at the Betfred Dante Stakes at York on May 18.
The unbeaten colt, who was purchased by Godolphin during the off-season, is one of 84 entries for the richest ever renewal of the Group Two contest widely recognised as the leading trial for the Investec Derby.
This year's entry offers £165,000 in prize money and has attracted the top five in the betting for the Epsom Classic.
Ryan saddled The Grey Gatsby to take the Dante in 2014 ahead of his French Derby success and hopes Syphax, winner of both his starts as a juvenile, can prove his worth.
Syphax was last seen winning the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes at York in August. He beat subsequent Royal Lodge Stakes winner Best Of Days on that occasion and the pair could renew rivalry.
Ryan is reluctant to draw comparisons between Syphax and The Grey Gatsby, but is hopeful he has a high-class prospect on his hands.
He said: "We had planned to go straight to the Dante, but the plan is now to run at Newcastle on April 14 in a conditions race. It will be good to get a run into him before going to York.
"He has done fantastically well over the winter and I am very happy with him. He obviously won the Acomb at the track and all being well he can go there in good shape."
Godolphin are represented by 15 colts, while Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle team make up over a third of the initial entry with 29. Among them are current 2000 Guineas and Derby favourite and champion juvenile Churchill, as well as the highly-regarded War Decree.
Another intriguing possible is Rivet, who landed his maiden victory at York in August and then won the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster for William Haggas.
Fellow Newmarket trainer John Gosden has won the last two renewals of the big race with Wings Of Desire and Golden Horn. He has eight entries, headed by Crowned Eagle, a half-brother to Wings Of Desire who ran out an emphatic winner of his maiden at Nottingham.
St Leger hero Harbour Law could make his seasonal debut in the Betway Yorkshire Cup the day after the Dante.
Epsom trainer Laura Mongan believes the Group Two contest over a mile and three-quarters is "the perfect starting point" for her Classic winner.
Mongan has already given Harbour Law "a couple of pieces" of fast work this spring and is looking forward to her stable star returning to action.
"We think that's the perfect starting point for him - with the view, all being well, to go on to the Gold Cup. They'd be our main early targets. We think we've got a horse good enough," she said.
"I think the further the better with him. The mile and six furlongs at York will suit him, but the best of him will show over longer trips."
Harbour Law enjoyed a winter break at his owner Jackie Cornwell's property in Dorset before going back into training in January.
"He has been back with us since mid-January. We're very lucky to have him back. He looks great and holidayed well. We couldn't be happier with him," said Mongan.
"He always was a beautiful stamp of a horse and he looks better, stronger - great in himself. So we're very excited, if not a little nervous! (But) it's a lovely pressure to have.
"All he did last season was mature and improve, looks-wise and mentally. I'm pretty sure that he has carried on doing that. He is doing everything right at home, that's all I can ask for."
Harbour Law is among a 50-strong entry that includes the last two winners of the Ascot Gold Cup in Ed Dunlop's Trip To Paris and the O'Brien-trained Order Of St George.
Last year's Yorkshire Cup scorer Clever Cookie, trained in North Yorkshire by Peter Niven, might try to emulate Ardross, who is the only dual winner having struck in 1981 and 1982.
