Barney warms up for St James's Palace tilt with Kempton spin

Barney Roy delighted trainer Richard Hannon and jockey James Doyle in a spin on Kempton's Polytrack surface on Monday morning.

The lightly raced Excelebration colt, one of Godolphin's main hopes for next week, made a winning reappearance in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury and was beaten only a length by Churchill when fancied to extend his unbeaten run in the 2,000 Guineas.

Barney Roy stumbled so badly in the Dip Hannon feared he might have broken a leg and he believes Barney Roy can leave that form behind on Tuesday in the St James's Palace Stakes over the round mile.

Bookmakers are not underestimating the threat he poses to Churchill as he is clear second favourite and no bigger than 5-2.

Hannon said: "Barney Roy went to Kempton this morning with Son Of The Stars and had a nice breeze over seven furlongs around the right-handed bend. James Doyle rode and was delighted with him.

"I think he'll go very well next week. The track will suit him and I've been very pleased with him since Newmarket. We might have been tempted by the Derby, but I'm really pleased that we kept him fresh for this."

Son Of The Stars was just touched off by Ronald R in a hot mile handicap later on 2,000 Guineas day and he too has been kept fresh.

Hannon said: "He goes for the Britannia. Kieran O'Neill rode him and he went well too."

St James's Palace Stakes entries