Coolmore Stud Churchill Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 17:47 | Winning time: 1m 37.55s

(6)

Brussels²⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien

10/11

Made winning debut at the Curragh in May, before racing closer to pace than ideal when 2½ lengths fourth of 6 to Zavateri in July Stakes at Newmarket (6f, good to firm, 9/4) last month. Remains a good prospect with this extra furlong likely to suit.

Form: 14

(2)

Empty Wallet^t³⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: James Ryan| T: G M Lyons

16/1

Still in need of the experience, but in first-time tongue strap he took a step foward from debut when winning 13-runner maiden at Bellewstown (7.9f, good, 7/1) 5 weeks ago. Upped in grade but he's open to further improvement.

Form: 41

(1)

Maximum Scepticism²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien

5/1

Off the mark at the third attempt, making virtually all in 7-runner maiden at Nottingham (6.1f, good, 8/15) 3 weeks ago. This is tougher but he can give another good account returned to this longer distance.

Form: 451

(4)

Suspicious Mindz⁶⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Nathan Crosse| T: Mrs J Harrington

18/1

Bred to be sharp and showed a bit of promise when eighth of 13 in maiden at the Curragh (6f, good, 7/2) on debut in June. However, he has plenty to find tried over this extra furlong.

Form: 8

(5)

Thesecretadversary¹⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: J A Heffernan| T: J A Stack| BF

3/1

Confirmed promise of debut when also finishing runner-up in the Chesham at Royal Ascot. Unable to land the odds (2/13) when second of 5 in maiden at Ayr (7.2f, good to soft) 18 days ago, though was left poorly placed. Likely contender.

Form: 222

(3)

Time Bender²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Chris Hayes| T: W Durkan| D

20/1

Was sent off at big odds (33/1) but overcame greenness to make a winning debut, making all in 15-runner maiden at Leopardstown (7.2f, good) 22 days ago. Entitled to progress with that first experience behind him.

Form: 1

Forecasts

Brussels (10/11), Thesecretadversary (3/1), Maximum Scepticism (5/1), Empty Wallet (16/1), Suspicious Mindz (18/1), Time Bender (20/1)

BRUSSELS has made a promising start to his career, successful on debut before shaping better than the result when fourth in a Group 2 at Newmarket last time, so he is taken to resume winning ways as he goes up in trip. Thesecretadversary has finished runner-up all 3 starts and can be thereabouts once more, with Maximum Scepticism also in the mix.