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David Simcock expects Sheikhzayedroad to put up a strong defence of his crown in the Doncaster Cup on Friday.
The eight-year-old has been a magnificent servant to his connections over the years, earning over £1million in prize-money with big-race triumphs at home and abroad.
"He'll have conditions to suit and he seems in good order," said Simcock.
"We've done little with him and hopefully he can run very well.
"The one thing he is is consistent. I'm never disappointed and if he doesn't win, it won't be the end of the world."
Sheikhzayedroad enjoyed a brilliant end to the last campaign, following up his narrow victory in this Group Two event with success in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot.
He has not yet discovered his best form so far this season, finishing sixth in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and seventh in the Goodwood Cup, but his fourth-placed finish in the Lonsdale Cup at York was a step in the right direction.
"Scenarios didn't go right at Ascot and Goodwood but we rode him a bit more off the pace at York and he finished off well," said the Newmarket trainer.
"He's like me, he's getting a little bit older and slower. The two and a quarter miles at Doncaster might just suit him."
The Andrew Balding-trained Montaly brings the strongest recent form to the table having won the Lonsdale Cup three weeks ago.
David Elsworth is keeping his fingers crossed Desert Skyline can open his account for the season following a string of fine efforts in defeat, most recently finishing second in a Group Two in France.
The three-year-old is not eligible to run in the St Leger as he has been gelded, so instead takes on his elders 24 hours earlier in the latest leg of the Qipco British Champions Series.
Elsworth said: "Desert Skyline is not a great specimen - he's a lightly-framed, whippet of a horse - but it's not the size of the dog that fights, it's the size of the fight in the dog.
"He's progressed all the time and we are hoping for another good run."
Pallasator won the Doncaster Cup two years ago for Sir Mark Prescott and is fitted with first-time cheekpieces in a bid to revive his fortunes
Prescott's assistant William Butler told At The Races: " Over the years he has behaved terribly and won and behaved terribly and run terribly, so the truth is he's the only one who knows what is going to happen.
"There are bits and pieces of excuses for his runs this year, but we'd like to see him run better at Doncaster."
The only Irish challenger is the Willie Mullins-trained Thomas Hobson, the mount of Ryan Moore.
Course winners Clever Cookie and High Jinx, twice a runner-up in the Doncaster Cup, are joined by She Is No Lady and Fun Mac in the nine-strong field.
