Crisford is bullish as boys in blue hit form

Godolphin have still to rediscover the glory days that made them the most potent force in racing.

But there are ominous signs that the boys in blue may have turned the corner and they run one of their newest recruits, Evasive, in Newbury's Group 2 Hungerford Stakes on Saturday.

Evasive, formerly trained by Sir Michael Stoute, will also be joined at Newbury by their St Leger candidate Kite Wood, who puts his classic claims to the test in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes.

And speaking from America, where Godolphin have landed two Grade 1 winners at Saratoga in the last week, racing manager Simon Crisford was upbeat not only about their Newbury chances but for the team in general for the second half of the season.

Crisford said: "We did not perform to the expected level early on, but Schiaparelli changed the tide when winning the Goodwood Cup and since then, besides our American duo, we have a couple of potentially smart two-year-olds in Al Zir and Poet's Voice and we also won the Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket with Long Lashes.

"Evasive is an exciting new horse for us. We bought him after he finished fourth to Mastercraftsman in the St James's Palace Stakes - he stays the mile but arguably seven furlongs is his optimum distance, so the Hungerford should suit him ideally.

"Similarly, we have high hopes for Kite Wood at Newbury. Frankie (Dettori) was impressed with him when he won the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket's July meeting and the colt worked exceptionally well on Saturday morning.

"We just hope they get a shower or two.

"People forget that we are a global operation, it has not been all doom and gloom. We have had 70 winners this year and amassed more than $9million in prize money.