Churchill ready for Futurity challenge Royal Ascot hero and leading Classic hope Churchill is the star attraction in the Galileo EBF Futurity Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday. Despite suffering defeat on his debut in the spring, the Galileo colt was considered one of the bankers of the week at the Royal meeting and duly obliged in the Chesham Stakes. He continued his progress with victory in the Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown last month and is second only to esteemed stable companion Caravaggio in ante-post lists for next season's 2000 Guineas. Trainer Aidan O'Brien has landed the Futurity nine times, with the likes of Giant's Causeway (1999) and Hawk Wing (2001) among those on the roll of honour. O'Brien said: " We've got a good bunch of two-year-olds this season. "Churchill will run in the Futurity and he's been fine since the last day." Coolmore's UK representative Kevin Buckley added: "He won the Tyros well and came out of that in very good order. "We're looking forward to his reappearance." Churchill is one of three O'Brien runners in the seven-furlong Group Two. Capri is an interesting contender after winning a Galway maiden and a Tipperary Listed event on his last two starts, while Lancaster Bomber built on debut promise to narrowly claim victory at Leopardstown earlier in the month. O'Brien's son, Joseph, saddles Arcada, who opened his account at the third attempt when beating Capri over this course and distance. The Jim Bolger-trained Radio Silence, who made a big impression on his Leopardstown introduction before finishing fourth in the Anglesey Stakes, completes the five-strong field.
