Improving Colt Becomes Latest Winner By Churchill

A step up to a mile saw the Aidan O’Brien-trained Howth (2c Churchill - Muwakaba, by Elusive Quality) gain a deserved maiden win at Killarney on Thursday afternoon.

Second and fourth on his last two starts, the son of Churchill was sent off favourite under Seamus Heffernan, who rode him to chase the leaders. Pushed along from the two furlong marker, the bay was ridden to lead a furlong later and kept on well to win by a length and a quarter.

“He is fine big horse and it was nice to win with him,” Heffernan later commented. “He has always worked like he was capable of winning a maiden.”

Bred by Capital Bloodstock, Howth is closely related to dual Group winner and Group 1 runner-up Cayenne Pepper (Australia).