Charlie Appleby runs us through the plans for his star-studded Godolphin string

Pinatubo may be the leading force in the Charlie Appleby squadron but there are plenty of other big names at Moulton Paddocks. The Godolphin trainer talks through his top horses for the Flat season.

Older horses

Barney Roy
6yo b g Excelebration - Alina
Godolphin
9/218-11
RPR 117, OR 115
Barney Roy showed his class, winning twice at Meydan at the Dubai World Cup Carnival – his turn of foot can be devastating. He showed that he's back to his best, and next month's Prince of Wales's Stakes at Ascot is his next assignment. He will also be on our international team later in the year.

Cross Counter
5yo b g Teofilo - Waitress
Godolphin
4348-5
RPR 119, OR 118
He was fresh and well when he went to Riyadh for the Saudi Turf Handicap in February, and he did a bit more than we wanted, he was a bit gassy. He was fifth, beaten seven lengths. The Gold Cup in Dubai was cancelled and he's arrived back in Britain in good order. An accomplished international campaigner, Cross Counter won the Melbourne Cup in 2018 and was beaten a length and a half in eighth last year. If it is logistically possible, the Cup will be his end-of-year target once again.

5yo b h Dubawi - Nightime
Godolphin
1310-1
RPR 128, OR 126
His first target is the Coronation Cup at Newmarket on Friday June 5. This year, Ghaiyyath comes to his season in Europe physically stronger, with a winter behind him in Dubai, where he won the Group 3 Dubai Millennium Stakes. Now a five-year-old, Ghaiyyath is the finished article. He missed his intended Sheema Classic engagement when the Dubai World Cup meeting was cancelled and he was kept ticking over with routine conditioning work at Mahmoom. He travelled back to Britain in late April and has been in full training since at Moulton Paddocks.

Old Persian: won two Group 1 prizes last seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

5yo b h Dubawi - Indian Petal
Godolphin
17310-
RPR 122, OR 118
He's had the winter off. He was Ghaiyyath's understudy and, when he wasn't required in Dubai, the decision was taken to freshen him up for a campaign in Europe. There are plenty of nice races for him. The Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot is a possible early target, and later maybe the Canadian International at Woodbine in October. He's a nice horse to have in the stable, he's part of the family. He, too, is ear-marked for the international squad in the autumn.

Three-year-olds

Al Suhail
b c Dubawi - Shirocco Star
Godolphin
2132-
RPR 114, OR 112
He has worked well and we'll look at running him in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, with a view to stepping him up in trip to run in the Derby. He's a very interesting colt. He has a lot of natural pace, but his pedigree suggests he should stay the Derby trip. I was pleased with his second to Military March in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket in October, he went to the line well and they were seven lengths clear of the third.

King's Command
b g Dubawi - O'Giselle
Godolphin
1831-
RPR 115 OR 112
He's a gelded half-brother to Zakouski – who has won three from four for Godolphin – and he has a lot of talent. He won well on very soft ground in France last start, so his programme is largely ground-dependent. For this reason, we'll save him for an autumn campaign.

Pinatubo
b c Shamardal - Lava Flow
Godolphin
11111-
RPR 128, OR 128
I think the mile is going to be his trip. I believe that because of his mental attitude. He's a relaxed character, and if he was later asked to step up in trip, I think he has the right mindset for it. As for his physical attributes, he won six races as a juvenile, and three of them were on three of Britain's most challenging courses – Epsom, Goodwood and Newmarket. His athleticism is a key asset. He's pleased me in his work in preparation for the Guineas and, provided there are no hiccups, I think he'll give a very good account of himself.

Royal Crusade (right): second to Threat (red silks) in last season's Champagne Stakes at DoncasterCredit: Edward Whitaker

Royal Crusade
b g Shamardal - Zibelina
Godolphin
122-
RPR 111, OR 110
The soft ground caught him out when he finished second to King's Command in a Group 3 at Saint-Cloud last October. His previous close second to Threat in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster was a pointer to his potential. He's a colt with plenty of natural pace and, while we are open minded about his optimum trip long term, the more immediate plan is to go down the sprinting route, starting with the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot next month.

Two-year-olds

Most of our two-year-olds tend to need a little time to come to hand, and in a normal year, we would be looking to unveil some nice types at the Newmarket July Meeting.

But with a later start to the season, it won't make much difference. We may have runners in the Coventry and the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot but much depends on the next couple of weeks.

Magical Land looks an early type, who should be running very soon. Creative Force has a lot of natural speed and is another possible early comer. We've got a striking-looking half-brother to Farhh called Royal Touch, who is progressing well. Noble Dynasty is a half-brother to Barney Roy.

There two well-bred types yet to be named, a homebred half-sister to Derby winner Masar by Dubawi and a full-brother to Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Line Of Duty.

Read more:

'He's gone the right way' – bigger, stronger Pinatubo primed for Guineas bid

Minimal disruption to top races as HRI reveals Group-race programme for 2020

Newmarket or the Curragh? Harrington outlines Guineas plans for star fillies

Palmer and Dascombe supportive of two-year-old schedule at Royal Ascot

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