Once one of the favourites for this year's Derby, Elm Park aims to rebuild his career in the Racehorse Sanctuary Remembers Moorcroft Boy Fortune Stakes at Sandown on Wednesday.
The winner of four of his five races at two, including the Royal Lodge and Racing Post Trophy, Andrew Balding's colt has not been seen since beating only one rival at Epsom.
He faces a notable drop in trip for this Listed contest run over an extended mile and it will certainly be no walk in the park against the consistent Gabrial, Decorated Hero and Clive Cox's improving My Dream Boat.
Elm Park is owned by Qatar Racing, who could certainly do with a change of fortune after Simple Verse lost the St Leger on Saturday.
"It seems like a while since we last saw him," said David Redvers, racing manager for the owners.
"He's in very good order according to Andrew, who is very happy with him.
"This looks like a perfect race to find out whether we should be looking at going over 10 furlongs or whatever.
"Andrew actually thinks, a bit like Arod (also owned by Qatar Racing), that he is getting quicker the older he gets.
"So we'll see how he copes over a mile and after this we'll see which way we'll go.
"Obviously, the hope would be something on Champions Day but we'll take it a race at a time."
Roger Varian's Decorated Hero was favourite for the Cambridgeshire before it was announced he would not be running.
The trainer feels the three-year-old is a Group horse in the making.
"I think he's better than a handicapper and this looks a nice race for him," said Varian.
"Obviously he has lengths and pounds to find on the ratings but he's a capable horse who I've a lot of time for.
"He's been doing his winning on nice ground and as a close relation to Gleneagles he wouldn't want it too soft, so we'll just have to see how it is.
"Trying to predict these things is a waste of time so we'll just have to see."
Clive Cox's My Dream Boat was hugely impressive in a competitive handicap at York and is another stepping up in grade for the first time.
"He was very impressive at York and has done very well this season, taking positive steps forward with each run," said Cox.
"This looks a good race, though.
"He's up to 101 now and he still has a bit to find with a couple of them but he's very progressive.
"I'm looking forward to seeing how he gets on. He's on a bit of a twilight rating at the moment but I've always hoped he'd progress into a Pattern horse.
"The ground won't be a problem but the likes of Elm Park and Gabrial are very good horses."
Fire Ship, Prince Ga garin and Room Key complete the field.
