Smart Juvenile Kicks Off Double For Churchill

Chillhi (2c Churchill - Hi Katriona, by Second Empire) made a successful step up to a mile on Friday at Newcastle, to gain his second success for Brian Ellison and owner P Boyle.

An impressive winner of his maiden over seven furlongs, the bay was sent off favourite to double up under Ben Robindon and raced close to the pace throughout. Shaken up three furlongs from home, he was pushed along to lead approaching the final furlong and went on to score by a comfortable length and a half.

A step up in class may now be on the cards for Chillhi, who holds an entry in the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes later this month. Bred by John Webb, the smart colt kicked off a double on the day for his sire Churchill.

Sceolan (3f Churchill - Somoushe, by Black Minnaloushe) denied a late challenge by Gobi Star (Starspangledbanner) to get off the mark in the five furlong maiden at Down Royal.

A close third last time out, the Willie McCreery-trained favourite raced in midfield under Billy Lee and was asked to challenge after turning for home. Running on strongly, she led from 110 yards out and kept on well to deny her fast-finishing rival, in a 1-2-3-4 for Coolmore sires.

McCreery, whose colours Sceolan races in, later revealed that the Mr Patterson-bred winner “has plenty of ability”.