Glad poses Godolphin puzzle

Gladiatorus, once rated the leading horse in the world, continues to baffle Godolphin after another lacklustre show in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp.

After setting a fierce early gallop under Ahmed Ajtebi, who employed the same tactics as when winning the Dubai Duty Free, he faded to come home fifth behind William Haggas’ Aqlaam.

Plans for the four-year-old are now on hold following this third disappointing effort.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor told www.godolphin.com: “This is the third time Gladiatorus has been beaten in Europe and it was another disappointing result. There are no plans.”