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- Churchill completes O'Brien/Moore treble
Donal Murphy
Churchill completes O'Brien/Moore treble
Churchill is ridden out by Ryan Moore to beat Alexios Komnenos
© Photo Healy Racing
Churchill completed a treble for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore, as he took the Group 3 Japan Racing Association Tyros Stakes.
Successful in the Chesham at Royal Ascot on his last start, the son of Galileo was expected to follow-up this evening as he went off the clear 2/5 favourite.
Settled behind the leaders on the inner, he came with his challenge between horses over a furlong out, and soon led. Alexios Komnenos came with a strong run down the outer inside the final furlong, but Churchill battled on well, and a neck separated them at the line.
The runner-up was returned at 8/1 under Wayne Lordan for Tommy Stack, with Currency Converter a further two lengths back in third.
Aidan O'Brien, who was recording his third win in-a-row in this race, said afterwards: "When he gets there he's very babyish and green. We saw that at Ascot. He's a little immature still.
"He got there very easily but the other horse challenged wide and Ryan said he didn't see him until late.
"I was delighted with the way he travelled through the race.
"We always thought he was very good. He had a nice run when third at the Curragh and we obviously saw what he did in Ascot.
"We were a little worried in Ascot as they went slow and he got there early and was green. He got to the front today and waited again.
"I think the Futurity is where we will go now."
O'Brien and Moore were earlier on the mark with Douglas Macarthur and Promise To Be True
Additional reporting by Gary Carson