GOFFS VINCENT O’BRIEN

NATIONAL STAKES

(Group 1)

IF there were any lingering doubts about Churchill’s standing as a juvenile of the very highest quality and one of the leading classic prospects for 2017 they were surely dispelled by the Galileo colt’s latest tour de force in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes.

The Aidan O’Brien colt came into this race having followed the well worn path of Tyros and Futurity Stakes victories, both of which had established him as the one of beat for his first venture into Group 1 company.

This promised to be a stiffer test though as lying in wait was Richard Hannon’s dual Group 2 winner Mehmas.

That one was easily brushed aside as Churchill posted his most convincing display to date to look every inch a leading contender for 2000 Guineas glory next May.

A fascinating battle looked to be in prospect as Mehmas led with around a quarter of a mile to go, in a move which was closely covered by the Ryan Moore-ridden Churchill.

locked in combat

For a brief period the pair were locked in combat but Churchill, the only winning favourite over the entire weekend, soon got on top and he drew right away from a flagging Mehmas over the course of the last furlong.

At the line, the Ballydoyle colt had four and a quarter lengths to spare with Mehmas clinging on by a neck to secure second ahead of Lockheed.

“He’s just a very exciting horse. He settles, he quickens, he has a lot of speed and Ryan said that he’d have no trouble going a mile and a quarter next year,” commented O’Brien.”We’ve been keeping him busy but he’s progressing very well with racing and this will have taught him a lot.

“He’s very idle but you saw there when Frankie’s horse (Mehmas) lay in on top of him there he just shrugged him off and ran right away from him.

“We’ve viewed him as a Guineas horse and we’ll just see now whether he runs again this season.”