Godolphin unlucky in 2,000 Guineas BARNEY ROY BEATEN TO SECOND BY HOT FAVOURITE CHURCHILL IN NEWMARKET CLASSIC
odolphin’s Barney Roy produced a huge, if perhaps rough-edged performance, to finish a close second to red-hot favourite Churchill in the 2,000 Guineas, the first Classic of the British racing season, at Newmarket racecourse yesterday. Ridden by stable jockey James Doyle, the impressive Greenham Stakes scorer, did not enjoy the best trip, tossing his head around during the early stages of the 1,600metre contest, before showing some eyepopping speed to all but collar the winner.
While, trainer Richard Hannon Jr. will be gutted not to have won a race that looked to be well within his colt’s grasp, he can take comfort in the fact that Barney Roy has loads of ability and is open to further improvement ahead of likely targets like the Epsom Derby (G1) four weeks from now.
In contrast, Churchill had an uncomplicated run to victory under a supremely confident Ryan Moore.
With stablemate Lancaster Bomber ( Donnacha O’Brien) setting the pace alongside Law and Order (Martin Haley) and Spirit Of Valor ( Seamie Heffernan) Ryan Moore was content to bide his time aboard the strapping Churcill, last year’s Dewhurst Stakes winner.
At the final furlong Moore went for home next to the stands’ side rail but will quickly challenged by French raider Al Wukair and Barney Roy down the middle.
Doyle’s colt was travelling strongly but his inexperience showed as he appeared to stumble before picking up make a notable challenge.
Churchill is down to 4-1 for the Derby, 6/4 for the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and for the Irish 2000 Guineas.
Ryan Moore told ITV Racing’s Rishi Persad: “He’s such a lovely horse. He has a magnificent mind. I think he has everything you want in a racehorse - he travels, has speed and loads of class. to
“He was always racing comfortably - he was there a little bit early. He always feels like there’s more when you ask him.”
Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien, who was saddling an eight 2000 Guineas winner, said: “I was very worried about it being his first run. He’s a big horse and we knew he would come on for the run. Ryan gave him a lovely ride.
“Everyone at home was very happy with the horse which is why we took the chance to come first time, so I’m delighted.
“We always thought he was a horse with a lot of speed. Ryan was very happy to be handy. The pace was sensible and Ryan knew Donnacha’s (O’Brien) horse (Lancaster Bomber) would take him there.
“The lads (owners) will decide about the Derby themselves. They make all the decisions about all the horses.
“He is very relaxed and will 1 Churchill (R L Moore) 6-4 Fav; 2 Barney Roy (James Doyle) 7-2; 3. 3 Al Wukair (Gregory Benoist) 11-2 probably get as far as you want him to get - he has speed as well, but he has a very relaxed way of racing. He is by Galileo and horses by that sire very rarely lack stamina.”