Kingdom Of Fife is reported to be in fine shape as he bids to give the Queen victory in the 50th John Smith's Cup at York on Saturday.
The four-year-old has already won one big mile-and-a-quarter handicap in Yorkshire this season - the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar. Now Michael Stoute's charge is a leading fancy to provide a Royal triumph in this valuable contest worth almost £100,000 to the winning connections.
"He's well and is all on target for the race," said the Queen's bloodstock advisor John Warren.
"Obviously he would have had a sporting chance at Ascot, but that wasn't to be and it's all on for Saturday."