Racing:Kingsfort, Godolphin's leading chance for the StanJames.com 2000 Guineas, has been ruled out of the first Classic of the season on May 1st after meeting with a setback.
Sheikh Mohammed snapped up the War Chant colt after his second career started yielded success in the Group One National Stakes at the Curragh, and he was just 14-1 with Coral to provided Godolphin with their first 2000 Guineas win since Island Sands in 1999.
Racing manager Simon Crisford said: "Kingsfort is not going to make the Guineas as he has had a setback.
"He had some smart form last year, beating the likes of Chabal, and will be back for the second half of the season."
Another missing from Godolphin's Classic squad is Flying Childers heroine Sand Vixen.
Crisford added of the Doncaster winner: "She was always going to be a horse for the sprint races, but has also had a setback.
"She will not run in the 1000 Guineas and we will get her back for the sprint races later in the year."
However, trainer Saeed bin Suroor still has some useful shots to fire in the Classic division with Passion For Gold quoted as the 10-1 second favourite behind St Nicholas Abbey for the Investec Derby.
The Thirsk maiden winner was beaten by that rival in the Beresford Stakes last summer but progressed when tackling heavy ground and 10 furlongs for the first time to land the Criterium de Saint-Cloud.
"He will probably start off in the Dante and is potentially a nice horse," Crisford said.
"I don't think he necessarily needs soft ground but he did appear to improve on it last year.
"St Nicholas Abbey did make him look slightly one-paced, though, and he will need to step up again this year."
Godolphin also have a strong Oaks contender in the shape of Hibaayeb who joined the team after landing the Fillies' Mile for Clive Brittain.
"She is a possible for the Oaks and a mile and a half will suit her best," commented Crisford.
"She may or may not start off in the Guineas but has done well through the winter."
Long Lashes was another acquisition last year with the Rock Hard Ten filly joining Bin Suroor from Jessica Harrington's stable.
She looked good winning the Sweet Solera first time up but floundered on soft ground afterwards and was then well beaten in the Fillies' Mile.
"She looked good mid-summer but we ran her on soft ground at the Curragh in the Moyglare and she wasn't the same afterwards," Crisford continued.
"She is on course for the Guineas and would be an outsider in that race."
Although Kingsfort is out of the 2000 Guineas, Sheikh Mohammed could still be well represented by the likes of Chabal, Poet's Voice and Emerald Commander.
Crisford added: "Poet's Voice has had a very good winter and has settled well.
"In his races he wants to do it all at once and pings the gates so well.
"We will get Chabal to Europe and decide where he runs and I don't know quite where we will run Emerald Commander."
The latter was purchased from Richard Hannon's yard after winning a Haydock Listed event and went to be second to Jan Vermeer in the Criterium International.
Crisford added: "He had good form with the likes of Elusive Pimpernel and was second in a Group One.
"Soft ground and a mile and a quarter should suit him well."