Bryan Smart admits it is difficult to know what to expect from Tangerine Trees on his seasonal reappearance in Saturday's Betfred.com Temple Stakes at Haydock.
The seven-year-old made a winning start to the last campaign in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket, but then failed to fire in either this race or the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.
However, he bounced back to end the season on a high, winning the Beverley Bullet before grabbing Group One glory in the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp.
Smart was pleased after giving his star performer a racecourse gallop at his local track Thirsk recently, but is uncertain how he will perform this weekend.
"He went great (at Thirsk) and the thing about him is he never overdoes himself, so it will have done him a lot of good," said Smart.
"You don't see his speed until you put an engine on his head - his visor - so we're very pleased with him.
"He's got to carry a penalty and you never know with him.
"He always makes me smile as he travels fantastically well in his races, but you just wouldn't know how straight he would be first time.
"The golden opportunity for him is obviously Royal Ascot. Last year he went there and he wasn't right but if we get there and everything is right this year, he's got to have every chance."
