Godolphin wait on Celebration plans

Godolphin will keep a careful eye on the weather before committing Iffraaj to Sunday’s totesport Celebration Mile at Goodwood.

The five-year-old is one of three possibles for the in-form team along with Sussex Stakes disappointment Echo Of Light and last weekend’s Newbury third Caradak.

Iffraaj showed a liking for the Goodwood track when winning the Group Two Betfair Cup and he had previously run a cracker when only just touched off by Les Arcs in the July Cup at Newmarket.

The Celebration Mile would be Iffraaj’s first attempt at the trip but he is by no means a certain runner at this stage.

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: “It all depends on the ground as to which one might run.

“A lot hinges on what happens with the weather over the next two weeks – not just for Goodwood.

“The plan was for Iffraaj to go to Haydock (for the Bettered Sprint Cup) but it depends on what the forecast predicts there in two weeks’ time, and what the ground is like at Goodwood. He wouldn’t want it too soft.

“All options are open for the three entries from our stable, and when we get towards the middle of this week we’ll work out what we’re going to do.”

A fresh strip of ground will be used for Sunday’s Group Two event and the going is currently described as good to firm.

Clerk of the course Seamus Buckley said: “The going is currently good to firm but if the predicted rain arrives it should be good by the weekend.

“We have dolled out the last six furlongs of the Mile course by approximately eight metres for Saturday, and this rail will be removed after racing on Saturday night, thus providing a fresh strip of ground for racing on Sunday.”