Hannon: 'Barney' might stay Derby trip

Post-race interviews usually only become relevant when the interviewee says something pertinent and a little bit out of the ordinary.

That was the case with trainer Richard Hannon after Godolphin's Barney Roy finished powerfully to take Saturday's G3 Greenham Stakes, over seven furlongs, at Newbury.

It was obvious to all that Barney Roy was already looking for an extra furlong in distance, but Hannon set reporters back on their heels when he declared: "He's always looked a bit different, the way he moves.

"He might even get a Derby trip the way he relaxes now."

Wow, that's some statement from a young trainer, whose background has included observing countless generations of talented horses, who have developed into decent three-year-olds.

His father, Richard senior, was a master at producing a 2,000 Guineas winner -- Mon Fils, the first of his three winners, was a long-shot that set him up financially as a successful trainer -- and Richard junior himself has already trained Night Of Thunder to win the same Classic.

James Doyle, back from his Sydney stint with John O'Shea, also weighed in with a most interesting opinion: "Once I gave him a couple of taps his stride pattern changed.

"He is going to learn so much for this, and he's crying out for the step up to a mile. He's then a nice mile and a quarter horse in the making," he added.

Barney Roy, purchased by Godolphin following his debut win at Haydock last year, is a son of Excelebration (Exceed And Excel) out of a Galileo mare, which makes for a fascinating cross.

Several pedigrees featuring Galileo on one side, and a speed influence on the other, have been notably successful.

Saeed bin Suroor plans to try a hood on runner-up Dream Castle in an attempt to help the Frankel colt settle in his races. He has both the French and English 2,000 Guineas as an option.

Godophin have plenty to look forward to in their three-year-old ranks this season.