Connections of Ulysses (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) will let the dust settle before mapping out the 4-year-old's programme for the rest of the season following his pulsating victory in the G1 Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday. Races such as the G1 Juddmonte International at York on Aug. 23 and the Sept. 9 G1 QIPCO Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown over the Eclipse distance of a mile and a quarter are likely to be considered, as well as mile and a half features like the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot July 29 and the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Oct. 1. Ulysses justified trainer Sir Michael Stoute's patience and faith by edging out Barney Roy (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}) in a thrilling finish to a great clash between the generations.
“It was a great performance by Ulysses and it was a beautiful ride [by Jim Crowley],” said Alan Cooper, racing manager to owners Flaxman Stables Ireland. “It was a very good race to watch in terms of racing appeal. He's run in several Group 1s and it's great he's got one under his belt now. All is well with Ulysses this morning. We'll just take our time before deciding on his next race. As Sir Michael said straight after the race he'd see in about 10 days' time, mull it over and see where we are going to go next. Ulysses has performed very well over a mile and a half and was a Group winner at that trip last year. This year he's been good over a mile and quarter, so let's see. We'll play it by it ear.”
Barney Roy's trainer Richard Hannon reported his G1 St James's Palace S. hero to be A1 after losing it out to Ulysses by just a nose on what was his first appearance over a mile and a quarter. Connections of the Godolphin-owned colt have the option of sticking to that trip for races such as the Juddmonte International and Irish Champion S. or possibly dropping back to a mile for the G1 Qatar Sussex S. at Glorious Goodwood on Aug. 2.
“Barney Roy is fine, no problems. He ran very well,” said Hannon. “We don't know where we're going to go next yet.”
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