After the drama and excitement of the Cheltenham Festival last week, the attention turns to the Flat and the £100,000 coral.co.uk Winter Derby at Lingfield on Saturday.
Clear market leader Grandeur heads 23 horses standing their ground at the latest confirmation stage.
Already a dual Group Two winner in America, Grandeur won at Listed level in Britain for a second time when beating Modernstone in the Winter Derby Trial over this course and distance last month.
Modernstone, trained by William Knight, is in the field along with Anaconda and Robin Hoods Bay, who were third and fourth that day.
Farraaj held off Robin Hoods Bay by a half-length to gain the honours last year, but has had only had two starts since. The five-year-old was beaten into fifth when favourite for the Group Two Sandown Mile in April before coming home 11th in the Grade One Pacific Classic at Del Mar, USA, on August 26.
Varian revealed: "The break has done him a lot of good and he can go well fresh, so not having a prep run wouldn't be a concern. He is a delicate horse and it's hard to get too many runs into him at once.
"He didn't really have any excuses at Del Mar last time. It was a long way to go, but he appeared to take the journey well.
"We have to judge him on his form in Britain, which would give him a chance again I think. The Winter Derby could be a stronger race this time around, but Farraaj is a talented horse on his day and we are pleased with how he is training."
The veteran Premio Loco, who was successful in 2012, is set to try again while there are several other smart sorts including Dick Doughtywylie, Graphic, Highland knight, Rebellious Guest and Godolphin's Windhoek.
The sole Irish representative is Jim Bolger's Parish Hall, who showed he still retains plenty of ability despite his problems when fourth in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in September and winning the Group Three Diamond Stakes the following month.
International interest could extend to the French-trained Vodkato, a Listed scorer on the all-weather surface at Deauville.
Godolphin could have its first British runner of 2014 in Windhoek (Saeed bin Suroor) who was victorious in a 10-furlong handicap (2000m) on Tapeta at Meydan, Dubai, on January 23.
Saturday's card at Lingfield Park also includes the £45,000 Listed bookmakers.co.uk Hever Sprint Stakes (2.40pm) over five furlongs, which is a Fast-Track Qualifier for the All-Weather Sprint Championship on Good Friday.
The 15 entries for this contest include last year's winner Ladies Are Forever (Geoff Oldroyd) who shaped well on her first start of 2014 when sixth in a Listed contest over six furlongs at Lingfield Park on February 27.
Dual Listed scorer Stepper Point (William Muir) could make his All-Weather debut, while Addictive Dream (David Nicholls) and Even Stevens (Scott Dixon) have both won competitive five-furlong handicaps on the All-Weather last time out. Kingsgate Choice (Ed de Giles) is smart turf performer at the minimum trip but has not run on the All-Weather for almost two years.
The third Fast-Track Qualifier on Saturday is the £45,000 Listed 32Red Spring Cup (3.15pm) over seven furlongs. The winner of this race will be guaranteed a berth in the 32Red All-Weather Three-Year-Old Championship on Finals Day.
Featuring among the 17 entries are the filly Alutiq (Eve Johnson Houghton) who ran credibly in Group company during 2013 and is unbeaten in two starts on the All-Weather. Ertijaal (William Haggas) was an impressive six-length maiden winner at Yarmouth last year and is one of several entries yet to run on Polytrack.
