By Daithi Harvey
The £1-million G1 Juddmonte International at York is shaping up into a contest that befits it's status as one of the world's best races and Richard Hannon has his eye firmly on the prize with Barney Roy (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}). The 3-year-old has done the team proud this year and will enter next Wednesday's race off the back of an agonizing nose defeat to Ulysses (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Coral Eclipse at Sandown in July. He had previously traded blows with Churchill (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), losing out to the Ballydoyle star in the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket but getting his revenge when winning the G1 St James's Palace S. at Royal Ascot. “I'm very happy with Barney Roy and we're all set for York,” Richard Hannon said. “It was a fantastic run in the Eclipse. It proved that he gets the trip and that he's tough. Hopefully he can go to York and make amends.” With the trio of Barney Roy, Churchill and Ulysses aiming for the Knavesmire it brings together various form threads from both generations and sexes and the Stoute/Niarchos team will also fancy the chances of their colt Ulysses despite him being beaten into second in the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. last time by Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}). “Michael [Stoute] said on Monday he worked very nicely that morning and the plan, all being well, is to go for the Juddmonte next Wednesday,” said Alan Cooper, racing manager to the Niarchos family.
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