Godolphin not expecting to add to their Ascot tally

GODOLPHIN admit Laverock has it to do if he is to bolster the tremendous record of Sheikh Mohammed’s operation in Saturday’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

Along with the late Dick Hern, the Dubai-based outfit’s trainer Saeed bin Suroor has the joint-best record of all time in the ultra-prestigious event, with five previous successes.

Lammtarra (1995), Swain (1997-98), Daylami (1999) and Doyen (2004) have all landed the spoils in the past, but despite this year’s renewal being universally described as weak, Godolphin’s racing manager Simon Crisford is keen not to talk up their probable representative.