Charlie Johnston reports Elarqam to be bang on track for his repeat bid in Saturday's Sky Bet York Stakes.
Connections of the Frankel colt are working back from the Juddmonte International back on the Knavesmire in August after he finished a close third in the Group One last season, and Johnston hopes this week's contest will act as the perfect stepping stone.
It has mixed season so far for the five-year-old, who was beaten a short-head by subsequent Prince Of Wales's Stakes winner Lord North before a lesser effort in defeat at the Royal meeting.
He trailed in fifth behind Fanny Logan in the Hardwicke Stakes, but Johnston expects a much better showing back on his favoured surface.
He said: "Things didn’t go to plan on the day in the Hardwicke at all but this course and distance brings the best out of Elarqam, I'm not sure why but it does.
"It’s clearly a track that he enjoys and the Juddmonte International might be his best chance of winning a Group One so the Group Two Sky Bet York Stakes is the logical stepping stone.
"In the Juddmonte last year he was one of the first to come off the bridle but by the finish you could argue he was a bit unlucky not to finish even closer. The long straight there seems to really help him.
"It’s a difficult one with Ascot – we had two in there and I thought Communique went too hard on the day. He wasn’t under any instruction to do that, both horses were there on merit and out to achieve the best they could, but the race just didn’t unfold how I saw it unfolding beforehand.
"I hope Elarqam can bounce back and prove that form to be all wrong, as Communique has to some extent."
On the strength in depth to this year's field which also includes the likes of Telecaster, Regal Reality and Aspetar, Johnston said: "To be honest, this year’s race might be a little bit weaker than last year and hopefully we can confirm Haydock form with Telecaster. Last year we beat Addeybb and on that effort Elarqam is probably the one to beat again."