Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby hopes Group One winner Barney Roy can show he retains all of his old ability when he contests Wednesday’s Ascot Shop Paradise Stakes.

The son of Excelebration, who claimed the 2017 St James’s Palace Stakes at the track when trained by Richard Hannon, will be making his first start since returning to training after proving to be infertile at stud when he lines up in the mile Listed contest.

Despite not being seen on a since on a racecourse in more than 18 months, the five-year-old, who has been gelded ahead of his return to racing, is reported to have been working well.

Appleby said: “He was a very talented three-year-old, who unfortunately got an injury at the end of his three-year-old career and then proved to be infertile at stud.

“He has been with us for the last couple of months and has pleased us with everything we have asked him to do. He shows all the enthusiasm you like to see in a racehorse.

“At home he shows he retains good ability, but the only way we’ll tell is on the racetrack and that will be the acid test.

“From what we have experienced, he is quite an easy horse to get fit and he is quite athletic. I’m not going there saying he will need the run as he will be fit enough to run well, he might just be a bit ring rusty. From a fitness side, he is ready to go.

“We had thought about going to Windsor in a couple of weeks, but he has come to hand quicker than we expected.”

The Newmarket handler will also be represented in the race by First Contact, who will be dropping back in trip after running over nine furlongs on his two previous starts.

Appleby added: “First Contact is in there on his own merit as he is rated 109. We felt that, even before deciding to run Barney Roy, dropping back to a mile for this race would be ideal for him.

“He will be up there on the front end to ensure there is a good pace, but that is his running style.”

Provided by Press Association Sport