Belardo (right) pictured on his way to victory in the Dewhurst last year© Photo Healy Racing
Roger Varian is confident Belardo possesses the requisite speed to make his mark over six furlongs after he was supplemented for the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday.
Last year's Dewhurst hero ran a fine race to finish fourth behind Gleneagles in the Irish 2,000 Guineas in May, but has since been found wanting over a mile in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.
Varian said: "On his last two runs over a mile, albeit at the highest level, we've felt he just hasn't got home. He's a horse that possesses a lot of natural speed and he has been tending to over-race. Collectively, we feel it is a worth trying him back at six furlongs."
The trainer went on: "Realistically, there are only six to eight weeks left of the season, so we've decided to supplement him for the race on Saturday.
"It's getting to that stage of the year when you start to think, 'Nothing ventured, nothing gained'.
"We're looking forward to giving it a go."
Belardo is one of two horses supplemented for the Group One, with Charlie Hills having added Stewards' Cup hero Magical Memory into the line-up.
The Lambourn handler said on www.charleshills.com: " The horse is in good form and as long as the ground isn't bottomless he will take his chance.
"It's very sporting of the owners, but improving horses like him don't come along very often so they have to be commended for taking the chance."
Betfred make Mattmu the 8-1 co-second-favourite behind 7-1 market leader Danzeno, but his participation is not guaranteed.
The Tim Easterby-trained colt was last seen finishing a fine third in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York, having previously won the Phoenix Sprint at the Curragh.
Speaking at Ripon on Monday, Easterby said: "He's in very good form, but he won't run if the ground is good to firm.
"I don't think they are expecting much more rain this week and that wouldn't suit him.
"The travelling to Ireland didn't affect him, he went to France last year, he's hard as nails.
"If we don't get to run him he'll go to Ascot in October for Champions Day."
Last year's winner G Force looks set to defend his crown for David O'Meara, who has also left in Watchable.
Tom Hogan's 2013 winner Gordon Lord Byron spearheads the Irish challenge that also includes Eddie Lynam's Sole Power and the Aidan O'Brien-trained Due Diligence.
Other contenders amongst the 19 confirmations include Limato, Tiggy Wiggy and Adaay.
