O’Brien is ‘very happy’ with Churchill

AIDAN O’Brien insists ante-post favourite Churchill is “well ready” for the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket tomorrow.

Last season’s Dewhurst winner is all the rage for the first domestic Classic season but will be having his first start for 210 days.

O’Brien, though, believes the Galileo colt will be fit enough to do himself justice.

He said: “He seems to be fine. Everything has gone well. He was a very mature two-yearold, big and strong with plenty of scope. I’ve been very happy with him over the winter. We think he is well ready to start.”

Churchill has not yet raced beyond seven furlongs and still holds an entry in the Investec Derby at Epsom.

When asked what will be the champion twoyear-old’s best trip this season, O’Brien said: “I’m not sure. The Guineas should be no problem. He travels very smoothly through his races and has a lot of pace.”

Meanwhile, Rekindling is set to test his Derby claims in the Betfred Dante Stakes at York on May 18.

An impressive winner of a Gowran maiden last September, the son of High Chaparral then finished last of 13 runners on what was his final start for the now-retired David Wachman in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud.

Rekindling’s new trainer was not sure what to expect when he ran in the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown but he looked top class.

O’Brien said: “He came out of his run in Leopardstown in good form and the plan is for him to go for the Dante. We just felt York would be a good stepping-stone to Epsom.”