The first day of the York’s Ebor Festival sees BARNEY ROY back in action after his close defeat at Sandown in the Eclipse. The narrowest margin afforded spilt him and Ulysses on the line and they take each other on again tomorrow in the Juddmonte International Stakes with five others lining up against them. ‘Barney Roy has been in great form at home since his last start. I have kept him ticking over and he did a lovely bit of work at the end of last week. This race has always been the plan and I think York will suit him ideally. He has a massive stride and the galloping nature of the track will play to his strengths. As long as he gets a clear passage he should run a very big race.’
Two horses head to post in the Betway Nursery one for Al Shaqab Racing in ETEFAAQ and the other owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum with TATHMEEN. ‘These are two nice colts. Etefaaq hated the ground last time at Goodwood but still managed to run fourth in the Group 2. On better ground and given a more positive ride he should run a big race under top weight. Tathmeen won impressively last time at Newbury and looks a horse on the improve. That was soft that day but he should have no trouble with this faster ground. He seems to have improved and will run well.’
Another winner yesterday at Lingfield gets the week off the flyer with PETE SO HIGH backing up nicely under Silvestre De Souza. He was settled in midfield and managed to pick them up easily in the straight. ‘He seems to keep on improving and is a horse I could see staying further in time.’
Barney Roy York bound this morning!