Royal Ascot 2016: Churchill primed for Chesham Stakes battle

David Metcalf | June 17, 2016

Churchill can collect in Chesham Stakes

Churchill was a big eye-catcher on debut and looks the answer to a fascinating renewal of the Listed 7f Chesham Stakes which opens proceedings on the final day of Royal Ascot (14.30).

The Aidan O’Brien trained colt finished a 2 1/2 length third of 11 to Van Der Dechen in a 6f maiden on soft ground at the Curragh, running very green and learning all the time as the race went on.

Churchill was very considerately handled, and Pedestal who finished 6 1/2 lengths behind him in fifth ran a stormer when third in the Windsor Castle Stakes at this meeting earlier in the week to give the form a boost.

It was an effort which suggested there was much better to come from Churchill, and the superbly bred son of Galileo is sure to appreciate the step up in trip.

O’Brien’s juveniles also tend to come on significantly for their first outing, and with Ryan Moore in the saddle Churchill can provide the Ballydoyle handler with his third winner of the race.

Frankel duo feared most

Cunco and Frankuus are both sons of the mighty Frankel and made the perfect start to their careers when winning on debut.

The former is trained by John Gosden and showed a smart turn of foot when coming from off the pace to beat Isomer by 3/4 of a length at Newbury, and the fourth home Barrington has since come out and bolted up by six lengths.