Age looked to have finally caught up with Stradivarius on occasions last season and with that in mind, he is worth taking on with Max Vega in the Paddy Power Yorkshire Cup.
Now an eight-year-old, Stradivarius has been a great servant to the sport and a terrific advert for John and Thady Gosden, but the baton appeared to have been passed on last year with Trueshan now the preeminent staying force.
Alan King's charge sidesteps this York contest due to quick ground and while Dermot Weld's dual Irish St Leger winner Search For A Song adds another dimension, she is certainly not unbeatable.
That leaves Max Vega as a candidate to spring something of a surprise for Ralph Beckett, with race fitness on his side.
This Group Two feature requires another step forward as his reappearance victory over Raymond Tusk at Newbury in the John Porter still leaves him short of the required standard to win this, but for a stayer he is still quite unexposed and he certainly looked as though he would take a step forward for that return.
The five-year-old Max Vega made his debut in September 2019, by which time Stradivarius had already won this race twice, the Gold Cup at Ascot twice, and three Goodwood Cups, which gives context to the size of his task, but Beckett's charge could now just be hitting his peak with a switch back up in trip no issue.
Daytona Lady looked a very sharp type when winning on debut and can remain unbeaten in the Knights Solicitors British EBF Marygate Fillies' Stakes
Being by Bungle Inthejungle, she was always likely to be an early type and that is exactly what she looked at Chelmsford.
Her trainer Sean Woods is starting to really make his mark now since his move back from Hong Kong and this filly could be a genuine Royal Ascot contender should she come through this test.
Red-hot Ryan Moore was on board for her debut, which she won by a ready three and a quarter lengths, and it was noteworthy the former champion jockey had his name chalked up alongside again at the five-day stage, however, with Kyprios running in the Saval Beg, he heads over to Leopardstown. James Doyle steps in, so there are no worries on that score.
The form might not amount to much as the second was beaten at Hamilton on Sunday, but Daytona Lady can only improve for her first run.
Moore was also on board Grand Dame when she made a winning debut at Ascot last month and Frankie Dettori takes over in the saddle in the Oaks Farm Stables Fillies' Stakes, better known as the Michael Seely.
She made her debut in what looked a strong conditions race but came from off the pace to win readily for the Gosdens.
Clearly, she lacks experience for a race of this nature but it is very unusual for her handlers to take this route rather than run with a penalty somewhere first, so they must believe she is up to it.
Tom Clover's Rogue Bear has finished third in two of the hottest handicaps of the season over a mile and on both occasions looked like he wanted further.
He gets that chance in the Paddy Power "I Love Steak" Stakes when he tackles 10 furlongs for the first time.
Third in the Lincoln and the Spring Cup, he clearly thrives in the white-hot atmosphere of a competitive handicap and with Clover riding on the crest of a wave at the moment, Rogue Bear can give him an extra reason to cheer.
Wild Crusade looks a very likely type for Godolphin in the Paddy Power "Fill Thi Boots" Handicap.
He beat Derby hopeful Nahanni back in January and comfortably won off 83 at Kempton in April.
This is his turf debut, but as a brother to Yibir and Wild Illusion, that should not be a problem.
Mattice made such a promising start to his career for Tim Easterby, most notably when second to Lusail at this meeting last year, so it is somewhat disappointing he is only rated 77 now.
The Longines Irish Champions Weekend Handicap could see him finally get off the mark though.
Jim Boyle's Going Gone looks to be going places and can follow up a recent Epsom win in the Lope Y Fernandez New For 2022 Handicap at Newmarket.
Marcus Tregoning's Morghom looked very good on debut and it will be disappointing he he cannot follow up in the Linda Murphy Novice Stakes at Newbury.
Shang Tang looks the one in the Racingtv.com Handicap Chase at Aintree, while at Hamilton, Malrescia should win the British EBF Supporting Racing Welfare MentalHealthAwarnessWeek Novice Stakes based on her debut run.
SELECTIONS:
AINTREE: 5.15 Baasem, 5.50 Shang Tang, 6.25 Dominic's Fault, 7.00 Captain Morgs, 7.35 Sail Away, 8.10 Merry Berry, 8.45 Intrepide Sud.
HAMILTON: 5.40 Malrescia, 6.10 Mackenzie Rose, 6.45 Hostelry, 7.20 Get Shirty, 7.55 Thornaby Pearl, 8.25 Fircombe Hall, 8.55 The Gloaming.
KILBEGGAN: 4.55 Breffni Brave, 5.30 Trebizond, 6.00 Level Neverending, 6.35 Hors Piste, 7.10 Silvertown, 7.45 Kalkas, 8.17 Pahlavi.
LEOPARDSTOWN: 5.10 Simpson's Paradox, 5.45 Paris Peacock, 6.20 Zerinda, 6.55 Essential Part, 7.30 Kyprios, 8.00 Fox Fearless, 8.30 Dances With Stars.
NEWBURY: 1.00 Brunel Charm, 1.30 Mysterious Night, 2.05 Puerto De Vega, 2.40 Morghom, 3.15 Zabeir, 3.50 Saigon, 4.20 Independent Act.
NEWMARKET: 1.10 North Lincoln, 1.40 Beauty Choice, 2.15 Pisanello, 2.50 Going Gone, 3.25 Mighty Ulyssses, 4.00 Arctic Emperor, 4.35 Brazen Bolt.
YORK: 1.50 Daytona Lady, 2.25 Grande Dame, 3.00 ROGUE BEAR (NAP), 3.35 Max Vega, 4.10 Wild Crusade, 4.45 Mossbawn, 5.20 Korker.
DOUBLE: Rogue Bear and Grande Dame.
