Churchill repels all-comers in Chesham

The heavily-supported Churchill got favourite-backers off to the perfect start on the final day of Royal Ascot with victory in the Chesham Stakes.

Aidan O'Brien's juvenile was only third on his racecourse debut at the Curragh last month, but was backed as if defeat was out of the question for his Berkshire assignment.

Always travelling well in the hands of Ryan Moore, the 8-11 market leader moved to the front with two furlongs still to run.

He started to wander a little when coming under pressure, and the late thrust of 25-1 shot Isomer made odds-on backers sweat, but Churchill passed the post half a length to the good.

Cunco, the first foal of the great Frankel and a winner on his Newbury debut, was far from disgraced in finishing third.

Moore said: "He's a big, powerful, beautiful horse.

"He travelled nice and smooth and when he got there (the front) he was very green, but he's a high-quality two-year-old.

"He's a bit of a baby, but he can only improve and he's one to look forward to."

Part-owner Michael Tabor said: "You must remember it's only his second run and he was very green.

"We think there should be a lot of improvement in him, so hopefully he'll be a very nice horse in the future.

"He was Aidan's number one fancy for the week and so he proved to be.

"We have not even discussed plans. You like to win here first and not jump ahead of yourself."

Coral make Churchill a 10-1 shot for next year's 2000 Guineas, while he is the 16-1 favourite for the Derby with RaceBets.

O'Brien said: "He's a big, powerful, raw baby. That's what he is, as you can see by the size of him.

"He had one easy run at the Curragh, when he didn't know what was happening.

"They went slow today and Ryan had him handy. He went on, but he didn't know what to do.

"This horse is going to be a lovely fellow and we'll now look for a Group race with him.

"He is not short of pace, as he travels very easily."

Comparing him to Tuesday's brilliant Coventry Stakes winner Caravaggio, the trainer added: "Caravaggio is very fast and a real sprinter. This horse has an awful lot of class."

Andrew Balding was pleased with Isomer's effort.

The Kingsclere trainer said: "He's improved from his first run so we're very happy.

"The winner is probably very good and he hung to the left a little bit so we may have been a bit flattered by our proximity to him.

"We want further and he'll be all right.

"What next? I don't know, maybe a maiden."

Cunco's trainer John Gosden said: "It looks like he wants a mile now.

"He's run great and we've probably done too good a job settling him. I liked the way he finished it out and he just likes to run.

"We might be better letting him use his stride.

"We came here to Royal Ascot and we're on the road."