IT is in the nature of things that few racing insiders will believe in a Godolphin revival until ‘the boys in blue’ are regularly taking on the best - which currently means Coolmore-Ballydoyle - in the most important races.

This is a little unfair. Having finally recovered from the shame brought on the organisation by Mahmoud Al Zarooni, Sheikh Mohammed’s team has been sending out winners right across the board (if just short of Group 1 level), with the softly-spoken Saeed bin Suroor and Charlie Appleby proving admirable professionals. Also, the recruitment of James Doyle and William Buick was an inspired move and showed just how ambitious the top man remains.