Churchill to get the job done

O’Brien’s colt expected to show enough after lay-off

CHURCHILL can enjoy his finest hour by winning the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket today.

Aidan O’Brien’s colt is a hot favourite for the first domestic classic of the season, having last year been crowned champion two-year-old.

That said, there are plenty queuing up to take him on in the Guineas, not least because this season’s race looks bang up to scratch.

The opposition will also point towards him having a first outing for 210 days, not to mention the fact he has never been the most electrifying of horses to watch in full flow.

Churchill is, however, a thoroughbred that is all about substance over style.

He does not win by far, but he gets the job done.

And even if he is only slightly more forward than last season, that should be enough to win the Guineas.

Perhaps the only issue might be a perceived lack of fitness after having been off the track for so long.

And though many Ballydoyle horses have clearly been in need of a run this spring, one can implicitly trust O’Brien to have Churchill as ready as he can be for the big day.

DABAN can deliver in tomorrow’s Qipco 1000 Guineas Stakes.

John Gosden’s filly has looked seriously good in two career starts thus far and can take her game to a new level in the fillies’ classic.

The daughter of Acclamation was a little keen early on in renowned Guineas

trial, the Nell Gwyn Stakes, at this track last month, but once she got settled, the result was never in doubt.

Daban galloped on zealously in a really strong renewal of the Group Three to score by an eased-down threequarters of a length.

Frankie Dettori was adamant afterwards that she would get a mile, and it is difficult to oppose that theory, such was her dominance at the line. SELECTIONS: Today NEWMARKET: 1.50 Ballet Concerto, 2.20 Kimberella, 2.55 Seventh Heaven, 3.35 CHURCHILL (NAP), 4.10 Mostahel, 4.45 Khalidi, 5.20 Medieval. DOUBLE: Churchill and Kimberella. Tomorrow HAMILTON: 1.35 Spirit Of Wedza, 2.05 Dream Of Dreams, 2.35 Renfrew Street, 3.10 Star Glitter, 3.45 Zylan, 4.20 Mellor Brook, 4.55 Try Again.

NEWMARKET: 1.50 Mainstream, 2.20 Nezwaah, 2.55 Mr Lupton, 3.35 DABAN (NAP), 4.10 De Bruyne Horse, 4.45 Horseplay, 5.20 Oasis Charm.

DOUBLE: Daban and Nezwaah.

Aidan O’Brien: sure to have 2000 Guineas favourite Churchill ready for the big day.