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Star juvenile Vandeek is expected to make his anticipated seasonal return in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock on 25 May.

Unbeaten in four starts last year, the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained colt went from strength to strength – starting with a comfortable victory in a Nottingham maiden. He overcame testing conditions in the Group 2 Richmond Stakes and Group 1 Prix Morny on his subsequent two outings, before ending the season with an emphatic success in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes on Newmarket's Rowley Mile.

"He's going well, he's wintered well, but like everywhere else, I think Newmarket has struggled with the weather," said Chris Wall, Shaikh Khalid's racing manager.

"They're on target with the horse but they haven't always been able to do what they've wanted to do because various canters have been closed.

"He's in good heart and coming along nicely, he's aiming at the Sandy Lane at Haydock in May.

"He's done everything right, he's grown a bit. He was a big enough lad last year but he has grown a bit more, he's filled out and he looks a lot stronger.

"He's done everything the right way, he hasn't done any fast work, so it's too early to see if there's a corresponding increase in his ability but we'd like to think that he'll at least be no worse than he was last year – and that's probably good enough."

Vandeek is currently antepost favourite for the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot over six furlongs.