Boreas is as short as 6-1 to give Luca Cumani successive victories in the Tote Ebor at York next month, it was revealed today.
However last year's winner Vicious Circle is far from certain to attempt a repeat success for his trainer.
Cumani has three horses among the 87 entries for the #175,000 contest.
Vicious Circle has been set to carry 9st 9lb, Boreas, a winner at York earlier this month after a 654-day absence from the track, 8-9, and Seek, fifth behind Eminence Grise in the Foster's Silver Cup over the Ebor's course and distance last time out, 8-0.
The trainer reports Boreas as being 'fine' following his York success but doubts surround the participation of Vicious Circle and Seek.
'It would be very unlikely that I'd run all three,' Cumani said.
'At the moment, the most likely is Boreas.'
Vicious Circle is set to make his seasonal debut in the Glorious Tioman Island Rated Stakes at Goodwood on Friday week.
But the task of carrying 9st 9lb at York seems likely to rule out a repeat bid for the Ebor.
'It would be a hell of an ask with that weight but he runs next week at Goodwood and then we'll see,' Cumani said.
'He runs in the Listed race over a mile and a half on the Friday.
'I was quite happy to have him out earlier but he decided he didn't want to come out. It was more his plan than mine! He's coming on okay.
'The Melbourne Cup is a long-term dream but we will have to see whether he warrants a challenge like that nearer the time.
'Seek could also be running at Goodwood and then after that we'll make plans.
'The Ebor is a possibility but no stronger than that.'
Trainer Richard Fahey was delighted to learn that Inch Perfect had been allotted 8st 1lb for the near 14-furlong event.
'This is the race we've been keeping him for - he's in good form and I'm sure the trip will bring out the best in him,' he said.
Inch Perfect ran a rare bad race last time when tackling the John Smith's Cup on his last start but Fahey explained: 'He had a desperate draw - the coffin draw - and it was always going to be tough from there.
'It also didn't help that he ran too free as he needs a bit of cover.
'He ran a better race at York than might be apparent from his finishing position but he's having a good break to allow him to go the Ebor a fresh horse. We're just praying now for a decent draw.'
Arctic Owl, trained by James Fanshawe, and the Barry Hills-trained Rainbow Ways head the handicap for the August 23 contest on 10-1.
Endorsement (8-5) and Eminence Grise (8-9) are among four Henry Cecil entries as the Warren Place trainer bids to win his second Ebor winner in three years, following Tuning in 1998.
Musician (8-8), Northumberland Plate winner Bay Of Islands (8-11) and Mowbray (8-11), second, third and fourth respectively behind Eminence Grise last time, are also among the entries.
Sir Michael Stoute, who sent out Deposki and Clerkenwell to win the race in the 1990s, has an eight-strong squad including Alva Glen (8-5), who finished second to Rada's Daughter (8-11), in the Old Newton Cup last time.
Amanda Perrett, whose father Guy Harwood won the race with Crazy and Primary in the 1980s, has entered King George V Handicap winner Give The Slip (8-3).
A strong Irish entry includes Aidan O'Brien's Urban Ocean (9-12), Dermot Weld's trio Quality Team (8-13), Hirapour (8-13) and Media Puzzle (8-12), and the Declan Gillespie-trained Piranesi (8-9).
Godolphin have one possible for the race, the four-year-old colt Nowrass (9-5).
Tote Ebor opening prices:
Coral: 6-1 Boreas, 7-1 Romantic Affair, 12-1 Give The Slip, Ligne Gagnante, Vicious Circle, 14-1 Give Notice, 16-1 Baniyar, Eminence Grise, Inch Perfect, Musician, Nowrass, Quality Team, 20-1 Bar.
Ladbrokes: 9-1 Boreas, 12-1 Musician, Romantic Affair, 14-1 Baniyar, Bay Of Islands, Eminence Grise, 16-1 Endorsement, Give The Slip, Ligne Gagnante, Mowbray, Vicious Circle, 20-1 Bar.
Tote: 9-1 Boreas, 10-1 Musician, Romantic Affair, 12-1 Eminence Grise, 14-1 Give The Slip, 16-1 Alva Glen, Baniyar, Bay Of Islands, Give Notice, Inch Perfect, Ligne Gagnante, Mowbray, Quality Team, Rada's Daughter, Seek, Temple Way, Vicious Circle, 20-1 bar.
William Hill: 7-1 Boreas, 8-1 Romantic Affair, 12-1 Give The Slip, Musician, 14-1 Eminence Grise, Give Notice, Inch Perfect, Ligne Gagnante, Vicious Circle, 16-1 Alva Glen, Baniyar, Bay Of Islands, Media Puzzle, Mowbray, Rada's Daughter, 20-1 Bar.
