Smart Newcomers Complete Double For Churchill

Lessay (2c Churchill - For Now, by Lawman) completed a juvenile double for Churchill on Wednesday when making a winning debut at Kempton.

Andrew Balding’s newcomer faced 13 rivals in the seven furlong novice stakes and raced prominently throughout under Oisin Murphy. Improving to lead before the final furlong, he kept on well to deny the short-priced favourite Rascal Recknell (Wootton Bassett) by a neck.

Owned by Michael Payton, Lessay becomes the first winner bred by Barouche Stud out of For Now. The son of Churchill is bred to improve over longer distances, with his dam bring a half-sister to two Galileo fillies who won Listed races over a mile and a half.

At Pau earlier in the day, the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained Charlus (2g Churchill - Nobilis, by Rock Of Gibraltar) ran out a commanding debut winner over ten furlongs.

Breaking smartly from a wide draw, the bay made all of the running under Jean-Bernard Eyquem and was asked to quicken from two furlongs out. Clear a furlong from home, he kept on well to win by four lengths comfortably, with another three lengths back to the favourite in third.

Charlus is owned by Sophie Midy, Free Man Racing, Linda Shanahan and Emily Magnier. He was bred by RJB Bloodstock out of a full-sister to Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes winner and Lonsdale Cup second Drill Sergeant (Rock Of Gibraltar).