Trainer Richard Hannon is bullish about the chances of star 3-year-old Barney Roy (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}) in Royal Ascot's G1 St James's Palace S. on June 20, saying he could see the Godolphin colourbearer, “putting it up to Churchill in a big way.”
Winner of the G3 Greenham S. over Saeed bin Suroor's Dream Castle (GB) (Frankel {GB}) on Apr. 22, Barney Roy was second by a length to Churchill (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Qipco 2000 Guineas on May 6. While Churchill followed up in the G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas three weeks later, Barney Roy has been saved for Ascot, and Hannon said in a release posted on his website, “Barney Roy has come out really well from that run and with a stronger pace he would have finished much closer. The mile at Ascot is right up his street.”
Hannon will, predictably, be strongly represented as Ascot, and his 2-year-old contingent will include De Bruyne Horse (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) and Denaar (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), both headed for the G2 Coventry S. The former took his record to two from three when winning Epsom's Woodcote S. on Derby Day, and Hannon said, “He is a progressive sort and won well at Epsom in spite of the track. He has come out of the Woodcote in great form and continues to take everything in his stride. He is a horse that is still learning his trade and should improve again next time.”
Al Shaqab Racing's Denaar is two from two, having last run at Newbury on May 20. “He showed he was very tough at Newbury and that run will have brought him on a lot mentally,” Hannon said. “I would expect him to improve and run a big race.”
Qatar Racing's Natural (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and Sheikh Hamdan's Tajaanus (Ire) (Arcano {Ire}) are candidates for the G3 Albany S., while Elysium Dream (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) goes for the Listed Chesham S. Qatar Racing will also be represented by Out of the Flames (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), a three-length maiden winner at Windsor last time, in the G2 Queen Mary S.
“This filly came on markedly, improving plenty from her debut at Ascot,” Hannon noted. “She has plenty of pace and has been working very well since her last start. She should be right there at the finish.”
Hannon is also set to be represented in the G1 Queen Anne S. on opening day by Oh This Is Us (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) and Kool Kompany (Ire) (Jeremy). They were third and fourth, respectively, in last weekend's G3 Diomed S. at Epsom.
“They both had traffic problems at Epsom but both ran very well,” Hannon explained. “The plan is to head to Ascot and off a strong pace they should both be right there. [Kool Kompany part owner] Neil Werrett is coming over from Australia with a load of the guys and this is a very exciting time for them.”
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