Barney Roy wins St James's Palace at Royal Ascot

16.20 Royal Ascot - St James's Palace Stakes

1st Barney Roy 5/2
2nd Lancaster Bomber 12/1
3rd Thunder Snow 6/1

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Barney Roy completed a Group One double for Godolphin on the opening day of Royal Ascot by landing the St James's Palace Stakes as 1/2 favourite Churchill could finish only fourth.

Richard Hannon's charge finished second to his rival in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and was settled in behind the trailblazing Rivet and Lancaster Bomber by James Doyle.

Churchill was shuffled further back and it became clear as they began the dash to the line that was going to be unable to land a telling blow.

His stablemate Lancaster Bomber still threatened to take the prize back to Ballydoyle but Doyle conjured a sustained burst from Barney Roy who swept to the front to score by a length.

Thunder Snow was a head away in third with Churchill only fourth.

Reaction

Richard Hannon: "I thought he was off the bridle a bit early and I was a little worried that he was going to run a moderate race and finish fourth, but I've got a lot of confidence in this horse and I'm delighted.

"I was confident he'd run his race, not confident he'd win - I just wanted to give him the chance to prove that, as I don't think he got that chance in the Guineas.

"There isn't another Guineas to go at, but that is a good pot and Sean Levey, who rides him at home, has done a good job."

"He's in the Eclipse, he's in the Arc. He takes time to get there but he picked up well, he's a very relaxed horse and was only having his fourth run, so to beat the Guineas winner is great."

James Doyle: "It's been an up and down season and when I knew I'd got the ride on this fellow I was pretty excited.

"He felt good at Newbury (Greenham) but it didn't go our way in the Guineas. He's proved what a good horse he is there.

"When we jumped out of the gate my tack slipped back a bit, which was a bit of a worry, but he stuck at it well off the turn.

"This is why I joined the team (Godolphin), to ride big winners like this, so to ride one when he (Sheikh Mohammed) is here today makes me feel very proud.

"I'd been watching Churchill's races to find a chink and it didn't look like there was, but he was either an outstanding one who just did enough or just a good horse, luckily he was just a good horse and we've got one a bit better."

Aidan O'Brien: "He  (Churchill) ran well. His form with Lancaster Bomber changed a bit from what it usually is. He should like fast ground really.

"It is a very hot day and maybe the heat and change didn't help. He just didn't pick up for some reason. We don't know the reason but we will hopefully know sometime."

"Lancaster Bomber ran very well. Churchill is usually able to pick up Lancaster, but he just didn't today."