Filling the void left by Minding is starting to look like an easy task for trainer Aidan O'Brien after Winter registered a fourth top-level success in the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood on Thursday.

Having claimed the race 12 months ago with the now-retired daughter of Galileo, O'Brien landed the prize again thanks to another equally-talented filly by the super sire.

Soft ground denied the chance of O'Brien running Churchill in the Sussex Stakes 24 hours earlier, but his frustrations turned to joy as the English and Irish 1000 Guineas winner took the step up to a mile and a quarter in her stride.

Travelling just behind the early pace set by eventual third Sobetsu, the 10/11 favourite, landed the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot on her previous start, was sent on to win her race by Ryan Moore just outside the final furlong.

Any doubts regarding her stamina were emphatically erased, with the market leader pulling comfortably clear to hold the running-on Blond Me at bay by a length and a half.

O'Brien said: "We are over the moon. She was a good bit bigger and stronger than she was. Racing in that ground was like racing on National Hunt ground and that is a different level of fitness you need for that.

"It was a bit of risk running her, but we had it in our head that she is a big, powerful mare with big feet. Ryan minded her and did a great job with her.

"David (Wachman, previous trainer) thought she was very good last year and from the first time she ran this year she looked like she was going to be good.

"She is a filly to look forward to and she should be ready for the second half of the season now. Getting a mile and a quarter well leaves an awful lot of options open for her. She might even get further.

"I was holding my breath the whole way, as she was doing plenty in Ryan's hands early but he did a great job to relax her. When they go past that two marker in that ground, you don't know what is going to happen, but she is very classy."

Winter was cut to 8/1 from 12/1 for the Juddmonte International at York by RaceBets, with Paddy Power going 3-1 from 8-1 for the Irish Champion Stakes.

O'Brien said: "She would have the option of Leopardstown or York, and that mile-and-a-quarter option is there now, which is great. Looking at her today, you wouldn't rule out her getting a mile and a half."

O'Brien could also have Churchill for York, adding: "There is the option of going to York and running over a mile and a quarter, or going to France and staying at a mile. Nothing will be decided for a week or 10 days."

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