Premier League ace Glen Johnson debates the big talking points

So how do you rate the three-year-olds now in the wake of the Eclipse?

Glen Johnson, footballer
Statistically it’s been a race favoured by the older horse but maybe that’s changing now with Golden Horn and Hawkbill winning the two before this as three-year-olds and Barney Roy losing on the line this time. On another day it could have easily been three in a row for the Classic generation.

Nicky Mackay, jockey
It’s too early to write off the three-year-olds as the Eclipse was a very messy race with any number of hard-luck stories. You can’t take anything away from the winner but Barney Roy was a bit unlucky and so was Cliffs Of Moher, who got murdered down the back straight.

Jamie McBride, William Hill odds compiler
I wouldn’t be jumping to conclusions on the basis of one race but the results since the Guineas and Derby among the colts suggests there is no superstar among them.

Declan McDonogh, jockey
I think it told us that the three-year-olds who ran in the Guineas are probably stronger than those who ran in the Derby. There’s plenty of the season left but that’s my immediate reaction.

Kerri Radcliffe, bloodstock agent
With the exception of Caravaggio, Winter and possibly Churchill they appear to be below the normal standard that we’ve had in recent times. Some years it can go that way and more older horses than ever seem to be kept in training these days.

Which horse from the Eclipse are you most excited about for the rest of the season?

Glen Johnson, footballer
If I had a pick I’d take Eminent home. I think he’s still learning to race and once he gets it all together he’ll have some big wins. I don’t think the ground was a problem for him on Saturday as he’s done all his winning on good to firm. He was just doing too much too early.

Nicky Mackay, jockey
Barney Roy. James Doyle said he was still a bit green when delivering his challenge in the final furlong and he rolled about a bit. He clearly stays well so that could give him options later on like the Champion Stakes back at Ascot, where he won the St James’s Palace.

Jamie McBride, William Hill odds compiler
It would depend on which direction they go, but given the way he has travelled into his races on the last couple of starts it would be interesting to see Ulysses dropped to a mile.

Declan McDonogh, jockey
Barney Roy. He lost only by the shortest of short heads and got the trip well. It will be interesting if they decide to try him over a mile and a half later in the season. I’d like to see Cliffs Of Moher again as he got badly hampered early on in the race and never got into serious contention as a result. You couldn’t judge him on his run.

Kerri Radcliffe, bloodstock agent
I know it’s a bit boring but Barney Roy was the one to take out of the race and he was unlucky not to win. Considering he was stepping up in trip it was a good performance and he’s a scopey type who should improve between now and the end of the season.

Battaash powers to a runaway 5f win in the Coral Charge under Dane O'NeillCredit: Alan Crowhurst

How high can Sandown speedball Battaash fly?

Glen Johnson, footballer
He looked fantastic. He only had one thing on his mind from the second he came out of the stalls. He has great cruising speed and looked professional. It will be interesting to see him against some better ones.

Nicky Mackay, jockey
It’s definitely an advantage to have the rail on the sprint course at Sandown, especially when the ground is quick so it may be best to see how he goes next time. He’s obviously a high-class horse and adds interest to the sprinting division, which is strong this year.

Jamie McBride, William Hill odds compiler
He might give Lady Aurelia a nice tow for a couple of furlongs. In all seriousness he was impressive but the rail may have been the place to be over the two days of the meeting and his quirks will have to be kept in check for the tougher tests to come.

Declan McDonogh, jockey
By all accounts he showed lots of speed and was impressive, winning in a course record time. I believe Goodwood might be next for him and we’ll learn more about him there.

Kerri Radcliffe, bloodstock agent
On the day he gave a very good performance and there’s no doubt he has plenty of ability. However, he was extremely favoured by the draw, ground and track conditions. He could possibly be flattered by the performance and he’ll need to back it up before Wesley Ward starts worrying!

Is the July Cup all about Caravaggio?

Glen Johnson, footballer
Of course he’s going to take some beating but I’m going to go for Harry Angel. He ran a great race at Royal Ascot and still has plenty to give. Clive Cox and Adam Kirby are a great team and know what it takes to win a July Cup.

Nicky Mackay, jockey
He’s obviously the one to beat but my close second pick would be The Tin Man, who was very game when winning at Royal Ascot. He seems to handle any ground these days, which gives him options, and I would expect to see him enjoy the stiff finish on the July course.

Jamie McBride, William Hill odds compiler
No. If The Tin Man and Limato can bring their A game they will provide a stern test and Tasleet is still relatively unexposed as a sprinter.

Declan McDonogh, jockey
Absolutely. He’ll be taking on the older sprinters for the first time but I was very impressed by his performance at Royal Ascot and I fancy him against last year’s winner Limato and the rest. He can retain his unbeaten record.

Kerri Radcliffe, bloodstock agent
I think so. I’m a big fan of his sire Scat Daddy and it’s such a great loss that he’s passed away. I hope to purchase as many of his yearlings as there are left at the sales this autumn and maybe one of them can turn out to be a stallion like Caravaggio will be in the future.

Give us another fancy for Newmarket’s July festival, or one you’re looking forward to long-term

Glen Johnson, footballer
I really like Wuheida in the Falmouth Stakes. I remember her as a quality filly from last year and fancied her for the Classics at one time. Whatever she achieves at a mile she’ll be even better over further. Elsewhere, Billesdon Brook looked a good winner at Kempton last time out and it will be interesting to see how she progresses now.

Nicky Mackay, jockey
I’m a big fan of September and it could be the two-year-old fillies are strong again this year. I know John Gosden has a whole load of two-year-olds to run through autumn and they could pay to follow. I hope to ride some of them myself having returned to riding out in the past few days following an injury.

Jamie McBride, William Hill odds compiler
Love Dreams is an intriguing contender for the 6f handicap on Thursday if he can harness his energy a bit more efficiently than on his reappearance. Parfait is 7lb well in for the Bunbury Cup or consolation race and that looks fully justified after his good fourth in the Jersey.

Declan McDonogh, jockey
Rajasinghe came forward nicely from his maiden victory to win the Coventry and is obviously a smart colt. On the basis that he can improve again, I’d imagine he’ll have a big chance in the July Stakes.

Kerri Radcliffe, bloodstock agent
As buyer for Phoenix Thoroughbreds we have some nice horses both here and in the US. Take Me With You and Gronkowski are nice types with my husband Jeremy Noseda, while in the US we have Diamondsandpearls, who was an impressive winner last week. Two other juveniles I’d like to mention with Bob Baffert are Mourinho and Jafar.

Is Enable a good thing for the Irish Oaks?

Glen Johnson, footballer
The way she won at Epsom it’s difficult to see anyone getting near her and I expect Coronet to complete a one-two for John Gosden. She was a decent winner at Royal Ascot after not really handling the track at Epsom.

Nicky Mackay, jockey
She should win but is a short price and I would expect Coronet to give her a race as she did well to thread her way through to win at Royal Ascot. I rode her work on many occasions last year and she’s a very gutsy filly. I expect it to be closer between them this time.

Jamie McBride, William Hill odds compiler
It is extremely difficult to see Enable being beaten given the lack of depth in the three-year-old filly middle-distance division.

Declan McDonogh, jockey
On her Investec Oaks performance she stands out as the most likely winner. She improved from her Cheshire Oaks win and was impressive at Epsom. She sets the standard and while we don’t yet know the make-up of the field, it’s difficult to oppose her.

Kerri Radcliffe, bloodstock agent
She was flawless in her performance at Epsom and looks the standout in the fillies’ middle-distance division. I expect a repeat performance before she goes on to test herself against the seniors.