St Nicholas Abbey could face up to eight rivals when he defends his crown in the Diamond Jubilee Coronation Cup at Epsom on Saturday.
Aidan O'Brien's five-year-old gained a narrow verdict over top-class mare Midday in the mile-and-a-half Group One last season, which has this year been switched from its traditional Friday slot to Investec Derby day.
St Nicholas Abbey endured a slightly disappointing summer, but ended the year on a high by landing the Breeders' Cup Turf at Churchill Downs.
He has been beaten into second on his two starts this year, most recently when failing to catch his pacemaker Windsor Palace in the Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh.
Windsor Palace is also engaged in Saturday's race, along with fellow Ballydoyle inmates Treasure Beach and Robin Hood.
Ed Dunlop's Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux gained a deserved victory in the Yorkshire Cup earlier this month and could bid to supplement that victory this weekend.
Beaten Up lost his unbeaten record when sixth in the Dubai Sheema Classic in March, but remains an interesting horse for William Haggas.
John Gosden's St Leger hero Masked Marvel could aim to bounce back to form after a disappointing start to the year at Newmarket, while Godolphin's Dubai World Cup star Monterosso and Quest For Peace from the Luca Cumani yard complete the confirmations.
