Royal Ascot day two previews: What the trainers say including Aidan O'Brien on Japan

1.50 Hampton Court Stakes

"He’s been absolutely fine since the Guineas – he came out of it as fresh as paint. It obviously didn’t go to plan on the day. He just got himself a bit over-excited, I think he was a bit shocked when the stalls opened and he’s fly leapt and stumbled and that was that.

“He came back not very proud of himself, but hopefully he can redeem himself on Wednesday. He seems in very good form and I think the step up in trip will suit him – he’s more of a galloper than a speedster.”

3.00 Prince Of Wales's Stakes

Views from connections

Aidan O'Brien - Japan

"What he did in the Juddmonte, he looked comfortable enough and he’s a horse that never does too much anyway.

“He doesn’t overdo himself. He’s very comfortable at a mile and a quarter and he does a mile and a half as well. He’s very versatile.”

Charlie Appleby - Barney Roy

“His previous two starts this year were over nine furlongs in Dubai, but I’ve always felt that stepping him up in trip would bring about more improvement.

“I know he’s been over the trip before, in the Eclipse and Juddmonte International (in 2017), but for me he’s an older and stronger horse than he was then.

“On the back of his runs this year, I think he goes there in good shape and we are looking forward to going back to Ascot with him, where we know he’s been a past winner at the Royal meeting.”

Teddy Grimthorpe - Headman

“Roger has always thought highly of him. He’s a nice, scopey horse now. He’s done very well through the winter.

“His two best races were both in France last year. He’s a got a bit of class, slightly like his father, Kingman – he has that good turn of foot to go and win.

“He obviously needs to step up and win at Group One standard this year. He’s given us the right signs he’ll be better as an older horse, but he has it put it on the line.”

John Gosden - Lord North and Mehdaayih

“Lord North is a grand horse and he’s taking his chance. It’s a good edition of the race. He did nothing but improve last year. He won a Cambridgeshire doing handstands and two Listed races. We could have run him in the Listed race (Wolferton) with his penalty, but that seemed a little bit cowardly – we thought it’s a small-enough field, it’s a lovely race to run in. We’d be thrilled to get a piece of it.

“Mehdaayih is a very talented filly. We deliberated and waited. I didn’t want to run her before this. She’s not a huge, strong filly, she’s very athletic and I think she’ll go there well fresh.”

William Haggas - Addeybb

"We were pleased to see the rain falling on Monday evening and the more that falls between now and Wednesday afternoon the better for him. He’s ready to go. He’s had a good year already and he came back from Australia very fit.

“This is probably a bit of a step up from the Australian races, but he’s no slouch and a pretty smart horse on his day.”

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