Group One-placed Medicean headed 27 confirmations today for the 41st John Smith's Cup on Saturday.
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt finished third behind subsequent Coral-Eclipse winner Giant's Causeway in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot just a few days after entries closed for York's £135,000 handicap.
That effort came too late to affect the 8st 10lb he carries on Saturday and he is 15lb "well-in" compared to his current official rating.
However Medicean will meet Man O'Mystery (8st 2lb) on terms 12lb worse than when they met at Sandown in April - when Stoute's charge came out on top by just a short-head in a conditions race.
Man O'Mystery, from Jeremy Noseda's Newmarket yard, also ran with distinction at Royal Ascot when a fast-finishing fourth to El Gran Papa in the Britannia Stakes.
Neither colt has run beyond a mile and Saturday's race is over an extended 10 furlongs.
Stoute, who has also left in recent Goodwood winner Nooshman (8-1), sent out last year's runner-up Siege and won the race when it was known as the John Smith's Magnet Cup with Icona in 1989.
Heading the weights on 9st 12lb is Tissifer, who was only 10th of 15 to Achilles 12 months ago. Tissifer's trainer Mark Johnston has also confirmed Cardiff Arms (9-0).
Other interesting acceptors include Inch Perfect (8-6). Kevin Darley is pencilled in for the mount on Richard Fahey's five-year-old, twice a York winner this season over longer trips.
The Clive Brittain-trained Nobelist (9-8), who had Inch Perfect three and a half lengths back in third when winning the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar in May, is also in the field.
John Marsh, of Cheveley Park Stud, the owners of Medicean, said: ''The John Smith's Cup is an option, he's got quite a few entries around. I wouldn't thought he'd be likely to run if it came up soft."
Marsh was hopeful that Medicean would stay the mile-and-a-quarter trip, adding: "Most Machiavellian's can. It's unknown territory, who knows? But he stays a mile so well."
The weights are unlikely to go up as Tissifer is a likely runner.
"Both Tissifer and Cardiff Arms are well and are intended runners at this stage," said Johnston.
"We shall have to hunt around and see what's happening. There's not many jockeys about with a lot of them banned."
