Moonstone a jewel among Classic hopes

You have to go back to Kazzia, in 2002, for Godolphin's last Guineas winner at Newmarket, but next month the stable finally hopes to land running in the first Classics of the season. The unbeaten White Moonstone is favourite for the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas; among the colts, meanwhile, Saamidd is joined on the list of possibles by eligible Irish recruits in Dubai Prince and Casamento.

Simon Crisford, the Godolphin manager, cautioned that the latter could yet start in a Derby trial, and advised punters to hold fire all round, pending the horses' imminent return from Dubai. "We won't be making any definite plans until we see how they have shipped back, and what the going's like," he said. "Saamidd was disappointing in the Dewhurst, but something was bothering him. He was reluctant to load, showing a bit of temperament we'd not seen before. He didn't like the soft going, either, so ground will very much be a factor.

"Casamento has had a good winter here, though whether he runs in the Guineas or goes to the Dante we'll decide closer to the time. He does have the speed for the Guineas, but we are in the fortunate position of having a few possibilities for the race. Dubai Prince will stay, but he has a good turn of foot. I imagine he would start off over a mile."