Charlie Appleby believes Two Thousand Guineas (G1) hero Notable Speech has been showing all the right signs in his bid to bounce back to his best in the July 31 Sussex Stakes (G1), part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series awarding the victor a "Win and You're In" spot in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) at Del Mar.
Notable Speech only made his debut at the end of January but took his record to 4-for-4 when winning the first Classic of the season at Newmarket in May.
The Godolphin colt was a 6-4 favorite to extend his unbeaten run in the St James's Palace (G1) at Royal Ascot last month but failed to fire and finished seventh.
There was no reason found for his below-par display at the royal meeting, but if bouncing back, Notable Speech is the one to beat in this five-runner field for the £1 million race.
Appleby said: "Notable Speech has had a little break since Royal Ascot and hasn't missed a beat heading into this.
"His run in the St James's Palace Stakes was obviously disappointing and it was a strange race to watch as he didn't run through the line at all. We had him checked out by the vets afterward and nothing came to light.
"He looks fantastic at the moment and we couldn't be happier with his work. He has been showing us all the right signs and we're very much looking forward to it."
Henry Longfellow arrives on the back of a career-best second in the St James's Palace, and trainer Aidan O'Brien feels he has taken a step forward since that effort.
Three of Henry Longfellow's five starts have been in group 1s, and he finished almost six lengths in front of Notable Speech at Royal Ascot.
Ryan Moore's mount was a five-length winner of the National Stakes (G1) at the Curragh in his final start at 2. Although the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (G1) failed to pan out favorably (eighth of 13 as the 13-10 favorite) on his return in May, he was back to form when beaten just a neck last time.
O'Brien said: "His run in France was basically a non-event and he got nothing out of it, so we're treating this like his second run of the season.
"His first real race was in the St James's Palace and we thought he ran a lovely race there. We think he has come forward from that at home and he seems to be progressing nicely. Everyone is happy with him."
Last year's second, Facteur Cheval, heads the older opposition and should not be overlooked.
Facteur Cheval returned this year with a breakthrough group 1 success in the Dubai Turf (G1T) at Meydan on good ground in March.
Maxime Guyon's mount was only sixth when the 7-2 second favorite for the Queen Anne (G1) at Royal Ascot on good to firm last month but it is a run his trainer, Jerome Reynier, is happy to put a line through.
Reynier said: "Everything went wrong for him at Ascot—the ground was too fast, but more importantly he was on the wrong side of the track and he lost a shoe. It was a run to forget as he has otherwise been very consistent, including when he ran really well in this race last year, and he's in good shape."
