BARNEY DOUBLE

Roy’s ready to follow up Ascot glory with victory in Eclipse

BARNEY ROY (nap) can strike a blow for the Classic generation by lifting the Coral-Eclipse (3.35, ITV) at Sandown today.

Three-year-olds dominate the market for the face-off with their elders, with Derby second Cliffs Of Moher and Epsom fourth Eminent popular choices for punters.

But it’s the Godolphin-owned Barney Roy, stepping up in trip after landing the one-mile St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot 18 days ago, who makes the most appeal.

The Excelebration colt, trained by Richard Hannon (below), suffered his only defeat from four career outings when second to Churchill in the Guineas at Newmarket nine weeks ago. Little went right for James Doyle’s mount that day, but he showed his true colours when storming to a length margin over Lancaster Bomber at Ascot, with Churchill a belowpar fourth. The way he ran through the line suggests Barney Roy will be at least as good now he tackles a mile and a quarter as he bids to continue Godolphin’s resurgence.