Royal Ascot 2017 – Richard Hannon’s Barney Roy set to head straight to the St James’s Palace Stakes
Barney Roy found only Churchill too good in the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas and connections have decided against running him in the Derby or the Irish 2,000 Guineas
QIPCO 2,000 Guineas runner-up Barney Roy is set to have his next start in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Richard Hannon's colt found only Churchill too good at Newmarket and was unlucky having been hampered after stumbling in the dip.
Godolphin chief executive John Ferguson told www.godolphin.com: "His Highness Sheikh Mohammed feels that the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, followed by the Irish 2,000 Guineas, followed by the St James's Palace would be too much to ask at this stage of Barney Roy's career, so he will go direct to Royal Ascot.
"As for the Derby, His Highness thinks that it would be unwise to run Barney Roy over a mile and a half.
"Being by Excelebration, there is no doubt he will get further than one mile, and it might be that a mile and a quarter will prove his optimum trip.
"But he will stick to one mile for the time being.
"Richard Hannon has been thrilled with Barney Roy's progress since Newmarket."