The progressive Nafaqa bids to sign off his juvenile campaign by continuing his progression with victory in the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.
The Sir Percy colt, trained by Barry Hills, goes for Group Two success after firstly catching the eye on his debut at Royal Ascot, where he overcame a poor start to finish fourth behind Richard Pankhurst in the Chesham Stakes.
After winning his maiden tidily at Newbury in July, he took the Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster two weeks ago from Toocoolforschool, who went on to land the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury last weekend.
"He's in good form, and this will be his last run of the year," said Hills.
Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Sheikh Hamdan, added: " He won nicely at Doncaster the other day. He's a progressive horse and this is the next step up. He's feeling his way up the ladder and this is his biggest test so far. We'll see how he gets on."
Another highly promising colt in the line-up is Elm Park. Qatar Racing bought a stake in the son of Phoenix Reach after he had confirmed the favourable impression he made when opening his account in a Newbury maiden with a smooth victory in the Listed Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury for his original owners, Kingsclere Racing Club.
Kingsclere trainer Andrew Balding believes this horse will not come into his own until next year, but it is nonetheless worth giving him the opportunity in Group Two company.
He said: "While he's a horse for next year, we thought he deserved a chance in it as he has done nothing wrong in his last two wins. He's stepping up in class, but it looks the right place for him and he should run a good race."
Jamie Spencer won on Salateen at Doncaster last time and feels Kevin Ryan's colt has not got too much to find to take a hand in the finish.
"I like horses that are progressive like that. It probably wasn't that great a race at Doncaster, but he couldn't have won it any easier and he won with his ears pricked," Spencer told At The Races.
"It's a step up for him but, on the figures, he doesn't have much to find. I'd be happy with a bit of rain for him."
Misterioso represents the powerful Richard Hannon stable on the back of winning a Salisbury maiden in good style.
"It looks a good race, without boasting an obvious star, so we think Misterioso deserves his shot," he told his website. "He was impressive when winning his maiden at Salisbury and is going the right way."
