Pressure is on as short-priced Churchill bids to achieve Guineas double

Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas (Group 1) | 1m, 3yo | ATR

He delivered at Newmarket but there is arguably even more pressure on Churchill on Saturday as he is a red-hot 4-11 chance to complete a Classic double after winning the 2,000 Guineas on the Rowley Mile.

Eight colts before him have completed the feat and Churchill is a short price to become the ninth, as much because only five rivals stand in his way as for his own prowess.

A six-runner field for the Tattersalls-sponsored Irish 2,000 Guineas will be the smallest for the event since Henrythenavigator – likewise trained by Aidan O'Brien – accounted for four rivals in 2008.

Churchill is one of three runners for O'Brien, who is seeking a 36th Irish Classic victory and an 11th win in his home 2,000 Guineas.

Apart from Henrythenavigator, O'Brien has run three other Newmarket Guineas winners in the Curragh Classic and two were successful in the shape of Rock Of Gibraltar and Gleneagles. Only George Washington came up short of the double when second to Araafa in 2006.

O'Brien reported on Friday: "Everything has gone well with Churchill since Newmarket. He seems fine and is going to the Curragh in very good form."

Churchill's jockey Ryan Moore is the only one riding in the Classic to have won the race before, being successful on Gleneagles two years ago, while Donnacha O'Brien, who rides Lancaster Bomber, will be seeking a first Classic win.

Seamie Heffernan, rider of outsider Spirit Of Valor, will be attempting to complete a full book of Irish Classic wins.

Lancaster Bomber has raced against Churchill four times. He finished second to him in the Dewhurst and was more recently fourth, one and a half lengths behind his stablemate, in the 2,000 Guineas.

O'Brien said: "Lancaster Bomber is a good, solid and straightforward colt. He ran very well at Newmarket and we've been happy with him since. He's in good order."

Spirit Of Valor finished eighth behind Churchill at Newmarket and O'Brien added: "We think the stiffer mile at the Curragh might suit Spirit Of Valor better than Newmarket."

Churchill

Pros

Three-time Group 1 winner who is the clear form pick

Cons

Usually does only just enough in his races and could be vulnerable if the contest becomes very tactical

Lancaster Bomber

Pros

Solid performer who is understood to have been working particularly well of late

Cons

Churchill has had his measure so far