By Daithi Harvey
An interesting rematch could be in store at Royal Ascot if the Ballydoyle team decide to aim their G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas hero Churchill (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) at the G1 St James's Palace S. June 20. That mile contest is the definite target for last Saturday's runner up Barney Roy (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}) with trainer Richard Hannon certainly not afraid to take on his Newmarket conqueror in different circumstances. “I could not have been happier with my lad,” said the trainer. “He has come on again from the Greenham and I believe this race will toughen him up and turn him into a man.” A lot of horses struggle with Newmarket's famous dip and Hannon feels a return to a more conventional course will see the Godolphin owned colt in even better light. “He has a huge stride and on a better track like Ascot, he will be able to use it. The stiff mile will also be right up his street and he should give Churchill something to think about come St James's Palace Stakes day, if they head that down that route. He has lost nothing in defeat and remains right at the top of my estimations,” he added.
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