Richard Hannon and stable jockey Richard Hughes will know this week if they are in the frame for another good season or a monumental one.
In his distinguished training career, Hannon has won the 2,000 Guineas three times but he has yet to land the 1,000 Guineas or Oaks despite a few close calls. Hughes, his son-in-law, is still after his first British Classic.
In the first serious week of the new Flat season, Hannon gets the chance to put down his marker. On Saturday at Newbury he will unleash Canford Cliffs, second favourite for the 2,000, and Dick Turpin in the Greenham, while Plume, who could provide the yard with a strong dual attack in the 1,000 Guineas, runs in the Fred Darling.
The vibes are good for all of them, especially Plume, who, despite still carrying her winter coat, has been catching the eye on the gallops.
There are expectations that she could rocket past her more fancied stablemate Pollenator in the 1,000 market after Saturday.
Hannon said: 'She has been working very well and I expect a big run from her. If she gives us some sort of run she'll go to the 1,000 with Pollenator.'
He added: 'I've been around too long to start thinking that this season could be it, but Canford Cliffs is a very good horse and so, too is Dick Turpin.'
Hughes nearly won the 1,000 in 2008 on Nahoodh for Mick Channon, whose own quest for a first British Classic starts tomorrow at Newmarket where he saddles 1,000 Guineas third favourite Music Show in the Nell Gwyn.
Henry Cecil's Oaks favourite Timepiece is the big attraction in the Feilden Stakes and the trainer hinted that a run in the 1,000 is also a possibility.
Aidan O'Brien, who has his first runner in Britain this term with Don Carlos at Newmarket tomorrow, has confirmed that his 2,000 Guineas hopes are Beethoven, Fencing Master, favourite St Nicholas Abbey and Viscount Nelson.
Ruby Walsh will be sidelined for eight to 10 weeks after breaking his arm in a fall from Celestial Halo at Aintree on Saturday.
Poker De Sivola is the new favourite for Saturday's Scottish National after the defections of Denman and Silver By Nature.
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