Churchill out to cement claims for next year's Classics

4.15 Curragh
Goff Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (Group 1) | 7f | 2yo

The good ones don't always win on debut. Minding didn't, nor did Harzand and even the sensational Sea The Stars was beaten on his racecourse bow, so we should not read too much into Churchill's debut here in May when he could finish only third behind Van Der Decken.

Despite the defeat, there was enough promise to suggest better was to come from Churchill and so it proved in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot where, despite being a maiden against winners, he edged out Isomer and Cunco. It was no surprise, though. He was the 8-11 favourite.