Richard Hannon believes stable star Barney Roy “will take all the beating” in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York next Wednesday.
The Godolphin-owned colt was one of 15 horses today left in first running of a York contest at £1million prize money, at the latest entry stage.
The extended mile and a quarter Group 1 feature is set to deliver a mighty showdown between Barney Roy, Churchill and Ulysses. The trio are vying for favouritism in the betting after, between them, delivering some superb performances so far this season.
Three-year-old pair Barney Roy and Churchill have clashed twice so far. Ballydoyle ace Churchill drew first blood when winning the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, but Barney Roy turned the tables in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Barney Roy has since been beaten by a nose in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown by progressive 4-year-old Ulysses.
Hannon said: “Barney Roy is in great form at home and has done very well since the Eclipse. He's had a nice break and will go to Kempton for a bit of work this week. He heads there in fantastic order and the Juddmonte looks the ideal race for him.
“The Eclipse form has been boosted by the victory of Eminent on Tuesday [in a G2 at Deauville] and I think he will take all the beating at York.”
Hannon also outlined that he expects to be represented in other races through the four-day meeting, which runs from Wednesday 23 August to Saturday 26 August inclusive.
The master of Herridge Racing Stables talked about a contender for Britain’s richest nursery, at £70,000, adding: “Other runners will include the likes of Tangled in the [Betway] Nursery, who – having had to do a stalls test since Goodwood – heads there in great order.
“Kool Kompany has a few options available to him and hopefully can bring his best form back to the table after not a bad run in the Sussex.”