THE Godolphin operation is set to retreat "into the wilderness" while its staff attempt to get the bottom of a bewildering run of heavy defeats.

Its declared runners at Newbury and Newmarket today have been scratched after five more failures at York yesterday included the Gold Cup winner Classic Cliche. And its intended starters for tomorrow and Sunday will also not run.

It left Sheikh Mohammed, racing manager Simon Crisford and champion trainer Saeed bin Suroor to reflect on their worst ever start to a Flat campaign.

The Sheikh left York for immediate discussions with his advisers but it is likely he will order the temporary shutdown of the operation.