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25 Apr 2017

James Doyle in with a shout of Classic double

Fair Eva heads Roger Charlton's Guineas team

Doyle will partner Fair Eva in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas. Picture: Racingfotos.com

James Doyle is relishing the rides on leading fancies in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Doyle will be reunited with the Richard Hannon-trained Barney Roy, impressive winner of the Greenham Stakes on Saturday, in the 2000 Guineas, which is the first race in this year’s QIPCO British Champions Series on May 6.

Twenty-four hours later he will be on Fair Eva in the 1000 Guineas for Roger Charlton.

“When I won the Greenham on Barney Roy it was the first time that I had ever sat on him but everyone at home [at Richard Hannon’s yard] has done a good job keeping him relaxed,” Doyle said.

“He was dropping back to seven furlongs but was impressive and I was really pleased with him. He got a bit lost at halfway when the race began to develop because he was so relaxed and he is crying out for the extra furlong.

“I think that he will be much sharper on Guineas day, he will jump more alertly and travel a lot better.”

Fair Eva is a daughter of former Series star Frankel and Doyle said: “It was very nice to get the call up to ride Fair Eva from Roger Charlton. I rode her in a gallop on Sunday over seven furlongs and the further she went the better she went.

“When I got back from spending four and a half months in Australia over the winter, I didn’t think that I would be coming back to much so it’s great to have live chances in both the Guineas – it’s what we all do it for.”

There are 19 acceptors for the 2000 Guineas at the latest scratchings stage, and 27 for the 1000 Guineas.

Michael Prosser, Head of Racing, Jockey Club Racecourses East Region, said: “The ground was good to firm when I walked it with John Gosden this morning and we have showers forecast over the next few days.

“We have very good growth and grass cover and, depending on the weather forecast in the lead-up to the QIPCO Guineas Festival, will adopt a positive watering approach in order to obtain good fast ground.”