Khaldun heads Godolphin challenge

Ibn Khaldun has emerged as Godolphin’s leading contender for Saturday’s stanjamesuk.com 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The Dubai outfit have three possible runners with Rio De La Plata and Fast Company also still engaged but the participation of the latter will depend on rain.

Godolphin’s racing manager Simon Crisford said: “He (Ibn Khaldun) is an intended runner at Newmarket while the forecast rain will be in Fast Company’s favour so we expect him to take his chance as well. He wouldn’t want the ground too fast.

“Rio De La Plata is still more likely to go to France.

“They are all in good form. They have done all their work in Dubai, travelled in good shape and are ready to run,” he told the Racing Post.

Ibn Khaldun won the Racing Post Trophy last year while Fast Company was a fast-finishing second behind New Approach in the Dewhurst.