Godolphin switch could backfire

There are few better trainers of thoroughbred racehorses than legendary French handler Andre Fabre. He is a master of his craft who repeatedly produces high-class performers across all age groups and distances, so it comes as a great surprise to learn that Sheik Mohammed has removed four very useful horses from Fabre's care and transferred them to train in Britain, writes Elliot Slater.

The allocation of the four horses suggests Mahmood Al Zarooni, who will now handle three of them, could soon replace Saeed Bin Suroor, who takes charge of the other, as principal handler for the King of Dubai.

Cutlass Bay, unbeaten in five starts for Fabre, the last of which was in the Group 1 Prix Ganay at Longchamp last week, goes to Bin Suroor, while three-year-olds Rewilding, Anna Salai and the highly promising Simon De Montfort go to Al Zarooni. Anyone with an interest in racing tips should keep a keen eye on the lattermost of these.

Last year, it took until Mastery's win in the St Leger for Godolphin to gain their only British Group 1 success of the season, a decidedly poor return on the Sheikh's massive investment. I'm sure I won't be alone in wondering just how the powers that be at Godolphin came to the decision that the four horses removed from Fabre will be improved by their new trainers.

Previous experience suggests a leap forward is most unlikely and the odds are that two or more may not be seen again this term, if previous trends are to be repeated. Even if they do reappear, it is highly unlikely the chance in trainer will lead to their horse race odds shortening dramatically.

Racing can be a very tough game at the best of times, but Fabre must be left scratching his head in trying to figure out just what he has to achieve to gain the continued patronage of the Godolphin empire, should he desire it of course.