Churchill hardened as favourite for the 2000 Guineas after a typically hard-fought victory in the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes for trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Ryan Moore.

Moore said: “He was always going to win. He’s a very, very good colt. It wasn’t as evenly-run as it should have been, but this lad has got an awful lot in his favour.

“There’s not a lot he can’t do. When I ask him, he always finds. He’s definitely a Guineas horse. I think he’ll get better.”

O’Brien, bagging his 20th worldwide Group One Flat race of the year, was winning the Dewhurst for the fifth time.

He said: “They went a sensible pace. He settled in there and quickened down into the dip.

“It got a little bit messy after the two [furlong marker] but Ryan guided him through and produced him lovely, so we’re over the moon.

“Physically he’s a very imposing horse. He’s probably a more imposing two-year-old than we’ve ever trained. He has a great mind and relaxes and sleeps. He just does the minimum, which is brilliant. He’s a great traveller and the qualities are there in abundance.

“Anyone that has had anything to do with him gets that special feeling from him – that’s very special when that happens.

“We’ve always viewed him as a miler, but that’s not to say he won’t get further. He’s so relaxed and laid-back and when he came in (to the winner’s enclosure) he wasn’t even blowing. He’s very economical as a galloper – he saves everything.”

Sportinglife.com