Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes
Group 1, Curragh 16:15 €350,000 added, 2yo, 7f, Class 1
Sunday 11th September 2016

1 Churchill 4/5F
2 Mehmas 9/4
3 Lockheed 11/1
7 ran Distances: 4¼l, nk, 1¾l
TIME 1m 28.28s (slow by 4.78s)

Churchill wins the National Stakes at a canter

Photo: Alain Barr

Churchill further enhanced his already huge reputation with an impressive victory in the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at the Curragh.

Beaten on his debut before landing the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, Aidan O'Brien's juvenile had since landed the Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown and the Futurity Stakes over this course and distance.

Sent off the 4/5 favourite for his Group One debut, the Galileo colt was always travelling powerfully in the hands of Ryan Moore as stable companion Lancaster Bomber played a pacemaking role.

Churchill made his move heading inside the last two furlongs and was swiftly followed by the Richard Hannon-trained Mehmas, the mount of Frankie Dettori.

The market principals settled down to fight it out, but it did not take long for Churchill to assert and he passed the post four and a quarter lengths to the good.

Mehmas, winner of the July Stakes at Newmarket and the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood over six furlongs, did not see out the seven furlongs as well, but just held on to second from fellow British challenger Lockheed, trained by William Haggas.

Paddy Power make Churchill their 5/2 favourite (from 6/1) for next year's 2000 Guineas and 6/1 favourite (from 20/1) for the Investec Derby at Epsom. He is 7/2 for the Guineas with William Hill , RaceBets and Sky Bet who also quoted the colt at 10/1 for the Derby.

Moore said: "He's a very exciting colt. He's done nothing wrong his whole life and I'm sure there'll be plenty more to come from him in the future. He has plenty of pace.

"Mehmas has won two Group Twos over six and when he came to me he found plenty.

"I think he has a big future."

Sky Bet Racing PR Manager Michael Shinners remarked: "He might not be the flashiest individual but he keeps getting the job done and he's improved with every visit to the racecourse.

"He's a completely different type to Caravaggio who we have at 4/1 for the Qipco 2000 Guineas and it will be fascinating to see how Aidan O'Brien campaigns the pair."

Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (Group 1)
€350,000 added, 2yo only, 7f
7 ran
Going: Good to Yielding, Yielding in places

Pos	Dr	D	Horse SP	Jockey Weight	Trainer	Age
1st	(5)		Churchill (IRE) 4/5f	R L Moore 9-3	A P O'Brien	2
2nd	(4)	4¼	Mehmas (IRE) 9/4	L Dettori 9-3	R Hannon	2
3rd	(1)	nk	Lockheed 11/1	P J Smullen 9-3	W J Haggas	2
4th	(7)	1¾	Son Of Rest 50/1	W M Lordan 9-3	T Stack	2
5th	(6)	2¾	Lancaster Bomber (USA) 40/1	D O'Brien 9-3	A P O'Brien	2
6th	(2)	4½	Psychedelic Funk 7/1	C T Keane 9-3	G M Lyons	2
7th	(3)	4½	Finn McCool (IRE) 25/1	C O'Donoghue 9-3	A P O'Brien	2