Despite every Derby trial revealing not one but two or three possible Derby contenders from Ballydoyle, could there still a hope that Churchill might line up in the Derby? A Guineas winner will always add a huge amount to the build up to the Derby.

Gleneagles was not asked to race over 12 furlongs but his post Guineas career did little to add any to his stud credentials. Churchill is bred on the same lines, Galileo from a Storm Cat mare, but his style of racing gives him every chance of staying.

Even if he fails, he would be in an illustrious band. Dubai Millennium, Dubawi, Hawk Wing, Rip Van Winkle, Dawn Approach all were beaten in the Derby and dropped back in distance to have successful careers.

Three Winters in one season

How likely was it that when we got one horse named Winter, there are actually three fillies around the globe at the same time.

The Irish-trained Winter (Galileo – Laddies Poker Two) is the three-year-old 1000 Guineas winner.

The Australian- campaigned Winter (Commands - Blizzardly) is, coincidently, a three-year-old filly owned by Godolphin.

And in the USA there is a four-year-old filly carrying the name Winter trained by Cathal Lynch (Awesome Again – Down).

Perhaps not surprisingly two of them are greys.

O’Brien Derby head to head?

Opinions differed on how good a performance Churchill put up when winning the 2000 Guineas last week. However you rate it, there was no denying that, before the race and with how he travelled through the race, he looked the part.

It is often in their slower paces and general demeanour that we become taken by a particular horse. Remember Sea The Stars’ casual surveying of all around him in the winners’ enclosure after his big wins.

Churchill moved to post with a smooth floating stride - it sent the mind back to El Gran Senor floating to post before the same classic many years ago.

Will Churchill follow that same path to Epsom, and what might be his fate?

Memories were further provoked when Monday’s Racing Post put up Rekindling as the Derby choice of Tom Segal.

It sets up father and son in Derby conflict. Now, the son training a horse to beat his father in the Epsom classic - have we been here before? Shades of 1984 again.

Stable staff awards

IT was fitting that in the same week of the awards for the top jockeys and trainers, we also had the stable staff awards, now made into a proper occasion by the tremendous support of Godolphin, both here and in the UK. We all know that trainers would not be there accepting awards but for the staff tending to the horses. And we saw in the clip of Montaly lashing out at Chester, how little those same horses appreciate the work that goes into their preparation.

So often, the lad or lass never even get a chance to speak or are acknowledged (though perhaps Winter’s lad Paul Webster would have preferred a few less questions by RIchi Persad last week) as they obligingly stand holding a winning horse for photographs.

Oaks winners

It’s been a good week for the progeny of Oaks winners

Ouija Board provided Frontiersman – a winner at Newmarket on Saturday. Alexandrova produced Somehow – a Group 2 winner at Newmarket. Look Here was responsible for Here And Now - a Chester winner Wednesday.

Get to the pint

There have been frequent calls for a ban on drink advertising in sport and it could have a negative effect on race sponsorship.

There was no ambiguity with the naming of the first race at Downpatrick last week – as direct as you like – the 5.15 was the “Now Selling Coors At Downpatrick Maiden Hurdle”

Robyn @robynfrommars

Pleased to hear old Big Fella Thanks has been retired. What a wonderful horse he’s been over the years. An absolute superstar.

Vinny @vinnygrennan

Gutted for connections and @mickcromwell to hear Heartbreak City had to be put down following an injury on gallops #eborwinner #paidformycar

Adam @AdamMcNamara953

Devastated to hear about the passing of Heartbreak City. He was a horse of a lifetime and gave me the best day of my life. RIP my friend

Mick Cromwell @mickcromwell

Memories I will cherish Ebor winner Beaten a nose in the Melbourne Cup Heartbreak City RIP Gone but not forgotten

Joe @And_awaytheyJoe

Rest In Peace Rapper Dragon and Heartbreak City. Sadden to see the news about their breakdown/accident. 2 big stars in international racing