DR Marwan Koukash loves nothing better than a winner at his local Chester track and he again appears to hold the key to the feature event on the opening day of the three-day meeting on the Roodee.
Koukash has seen his colours carried to glory in the Betway Chester Cup for the last two years with Address Unknown triumphing in 2013, while Suegioo, who returns to defend his title, emerged victorious last year.
While Koukash again fires an array of arrows at the two-mile race, preference is for Gabrial's King, who appears to have plenty in his favour - not least an advantageous low draw in stall three.
Five of his eight career wins have come on the all-weather at Wolverhampton, but his ability is not limited to Dunstall Park as he has also proved up to the mark at Kempton, Newbury and York.
That win on the Knavesmire was his most recent success last July with a handful of runs towards the end of the year failing to yield any joy for Richard Fahey's charge.
However, he really caught the eye on his return at Ripon last month when beaten just under four lengths by Trip To Paris.
That rival is clearly well handicapped but Gabrial's King would have been a fair bit closer with a clear run as he made up plenty of ground in the final furlong and he is taken to find most improvement of the pair, putting him well in the mix for another famous Koukash success.
The Arkle Finance Cheshire Oaks has not produced a subsequent Epsom victor since Light Shift in 2007 but Victoria Pollard can at least book her ticket for the main event with victory here.
Andrew Balding's runner has had just one outing so far, winning a competitive maiden with a rich history at Newbury in good style.
Her three-quarters-of-a-length verdict does not really tell the full story as she won with plenty in hand and given her staying pedigree, she will not be found wanting for stamina if she does tackle the Oaks itself.
Derby clues could be on offer in a maiden towards the end of the card with Sir Isaac Newton worthy of a mention.
While this 3.6 million guineas purchase was beaten at odds-on on his debut last term, there was no disgrace in playing second fiddle to the Epsom-bound Zawraq.
The Homeserve Maiden Stakes is a low-key starting point but it is hard to envisage defeat.
IRISH NEWS YANKEE
Nap: Gabrial's King (3.10: Chester)
Double: Victoria Pollard (2.40: Chester)
Treble: Sir Isaac Newton (4.20: Chester)
Treble: Pinzolo (8.45: Chelmsford City)