Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby believes Ghaiyyath will be seen to better effect when stepped up in trip in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Newmarket handler has earmarked the mile and a half Group Two prize as the next target for the lightly raced four-year-old following his odds-on defeat in the Prix Ganay at ParisLongchamp last Sunday.

After cutting out much of the running, the Dubawi colt weakened into third place in France – and Appleby feels his charge now requires a stiffer test of stamina.

Appleby said: “Ghaiyyath put up a good performance on Sunday to finish third, but we have always felt that this horse will be at his best over a mile and a half.

“He was beaten by two Group One winners and the plan with him will now be to freshen him up and head for the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot.

“He is still an inexperienced horse and that was only the sixth run of his career – he is entitled to learn a bit more again.

“He stepped into battle and didn’t shy away from it and he stuck to his guns well and he gives me the impression going forward a mile and a half will be his optimum trip.”

A change of plan will see Lincoln winner Auxerre head for Windsor on Monday week.

Appleby added: “We’ve had no hold ups with him and we were going to go to Ascot for the Paradise Stakes, but we decided to go there with Barney Roy.

“We didn’t want two decent horses banging their heads together, so we are going to Windsor instead.

“We were never going to jump into a Group race with him as we wanted take in a Listed race and take our time with him – we felt that was the right progression for the horse.”

Provided by Press Association Sport