held up 3rd, driven into 2nd under 2f out, ridden to lead narrowly 1f out, soon asserted, kept on strongly, comfortably
settled 4th, driven in 5th halfway, soon ridden, dropped to 7th over 2f out, no extra
broke well, soon led, under pressure and headed under 2f out, ridden and dropped to 4th 1f out, no extra in 5th final 100 yards
soon tracked leader in 2nd, driven over 2f out, dropped to 4th under 2f out, ridden into 3rd 1 1/2f out, no impression on leader, kept on final furlong to close on 2nd
ran 6th, progress to 4th halfway, driven and headway to lead under 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no impression on winner, kept on same pace
raced 5th, 6th halfway, driven in 5th 2 1/2f out, dropped to 6th and ridden under 2f out, no extra
raced in rear, 7th halfway, driven in 6th over 2f out, ridden into 5th over 1f out, no impression on leaders, progress to 4th final 100 yards, never nearer
CHURCHILL is fancied to record a third straight win in this for Aidan O’Brien. The Galileo colt improves with every run and landed the odds with the minimum of fuss in the Group Two Futurity over course and distance three weeks ago with stablemate Lancaster Bomber well behind. He looks to have most to fear from Richard Hannon’s Mehmas, who added the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood last time to his earlier win in the July Stakes at Newmarket and should at least make a race of it with the Ballydoyle colt. Psychedelic Funk has a bit to find with Mehmas on earlier running at Ascot while the Haggas colt Lockheed will need to step up on his third in the Acomb at York last time. Son Of Rest and Finn McCool were both placed in maiden races on their respective debuts and have scope.
Churchill (IRE) 1-4fav (9-3) Chased leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 2f out, pushed along to lead 1f out, soon ridden and briefly strongly pressed, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Curragh 7f Grp 2 stks (1) Yielding - Soft in Aug beating Radio Silence (9-3) by 2l, 4 ran.
Finn McCool (IRE) 11-10fav (9-5) Raced 4th, jumped path twice after 1f, driven entering straight, ridden over 1f out, no impression in moderate 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 9 3/4l behind Brutal (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m mdn gf in Aug.
Lancaster Bomber (USA) 14-1 (9-3) Broke well, soon settled 2nd, ridden in 3rd 2f out, dropped to last 1 1/2f out, no impression final furlong, last of 4, 5 1/2l behind Churchill (9-3) at Curragh 7f Grp 2 stks (1) Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Lockheed 7-2 (9-1) Took keen hold, held up, in touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on to chase leader inside final furlong, 3rd and held near finish, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Syphax (9-1) at York 7f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Mehmas (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd over 1f out, strong challenge inside final furlong, stayed on gamely to lead close home, won at Goodwood 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul beating Blue Point (9-0) by nk, 4 ran.
Psychedelic Funk 9-10fav (9-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden over 1f out and almost on terms, kept on same pace in 2nd closing stages, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Peace Envoy (9-3) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 stks (1) Good - Yielding in Jul.
Son Of Rest 4-5fav (9-5) Prominent, disputed 2nd halfway, travelled well and strongly challenged leader under 2f out, driven under 1f out, soon ridden, kept on, not match winner, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Latin Beat (9-5) at Tipperary 7f mdn sft in Aug.
