Improving Types Complete Smart Double For Churchill

Conservative (3g Churchill - Fairy Dancer, by Fastnet Rock) kicked off a first crop double for Churchill on Thursday when justifying favouritism in the mile Novice Stakes at Southwell.

Third on both his starts as a juvenile, Martyn Meade’s charge stepped up in trip on return and made virtually all of the running under David Probert. Briefly headed approaching the final furlong, he kept on strongly to deny previous winner Khathak by a head on the line.

Conservative carries the colours of Manton Park Racing and was bred by Ballylinch Stud out of a half-sister to dual Grade 1 winner Red Rocks (Galileo).

Later on the card, the Mick Channon-trained Ingra Tor (3c Churchill - Kassia, by Acclamation) landed the six furlong Novice Stakes on his second start.

Ridden to chase the leaders by Charlie Bishop, Jon and Julia Aisbitt’s homebred made good headway from two furlongs out and was shaken up to lead a furlong later. Keeping on strongly, he beat the joint-favourite by a length.