ROYAL Ascot week is obviously a hugely important week, it is important for owners and trainers and riders to do well there, when just about all the eyes of the racing world are watching. But it is going to be more important than usual this week for Godolphin.

The difficulties that the blue operation have been navigating off the track of late have been well-aired, and they have come up short in the high-profile races this season to date. Fifth and eighth and 11th from three runners in the Derby, eighth of nine in the Oaks.