Aidan O'Brien's Brussels sets the standard in Coolmore-sponsored Listed juvenile race

This looks an intriguing running of the Listed Coolmore Stud Churchill Stakes and Brussels is likely to be a warm order for Aidan O'Brien. 

He looked a smart prospect when beating stablemate Kansas by three-quarters of a length when winning on his debut in a good time at the Curragh in May. The form has worked out well with the second, third and reopposing fourth Maximum Scepticism all winning maidens in the interim.

The Wootton Bassett colt's fourth in Group 2 company at Newmarket last time deserves marking up as he was up with a very strong pace and the three who finished in front of him were all ridden with restraint. The step up in trip to an extended seven furlongs is an interesting move as he has shown plenty of pace over six furlongs, but his dam won over a mile and he's a half-brother to two winners over seven furlongs.

O'Brien has won the race four times in the last nine runnings and Brussels should justify likely favouritism if he proves tractable early on over this longer trip.

Fozzy Stack: runs ThesecretadversaryCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Thesecretadversary ran a massive race on his debut when runner-up to the exciting Italy and filled the same spot in the Chesham behind Humidity.

Fozzy Stack's colt was then made 2-13 favourite to land his maiden at Ayr, but he couldn't reel in Rochfortbridge, beaten three-quarters of a length. He should have taken advantage of that opportunity but it would be unwise to dismiss him as a result as it turned into a mess of a race with the five runners engaging in a sprint two furlongs out.

Having been held up in last, Thesecretadversary got caught flat-footed when the pace lifted. Expect him to prove much better in a race with a more consistent pace, and he can give Brussels plenty to think about.

Time Bender has to step up plenty on his winning debut at Leopardstown, but he couldn't have done much more in beating subsequent winner Joltin by a length and three-quarters, springing a 33-1 surprise. He showed greenness when veering right late on but had the race wrapped up in taking fashion beforehand and can run a big race.

Maximum Scepticism was four lengths behind Brussels on his debut before finishing fifth in another strong maiden at the Curragh. He got off the mark when bolting up at Nottingham and there should be more to come.

Going update

The ground is currently good to firm, good in places following watering. Conditions are expected to be settled, although there is a possiblity of 1mm of rain on Thursday.

What they say

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Brussels
We were happy with him at Newmarket. He seems in good form and we always thought this trip would be okay for him.

Fozzy Stack, trainer of Thesecretadversary
He'll appreciate the ground and he's in good order.

Gary Bannon, assistant to Bill Durkan, trainer of Time Bender
He was a big price on his debut but we fancied him to run a big race as he was working very well at home. We'd have liked to go for a winners' race but there was nothing in the calendar. The form has worked out from Leopardstown. It's a big step up but we'd be hopeful he can run a good race and finish in the first three.

Chris Cook's three things to note on Friday

1. Concert Boy was at Musselburgh last Friday, but had so much trouble finding daylight it might as well have been Goodwood. He travelled strongly and finished well, looking unlucky not to get his first turf success at the 20th attempt. The five-year-old steps up in trip at the same venue in the opening 1m1f handicap (1.50) for Borders trainer Katie Scott, who has had two winners and two seconds from eight runners in the past fortnight.

Concert Boy13:50 Musselburgh

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Jky: Sam James Tnr: Katie Scott

2. Next week marks the 15th anniversary of Frankel's debut win over Nathaniel in a maiden on the July course, and a relative will try to follow the family tradition at the Newmarket track. Legacy Link is the first foal out of Chiasma, a winning sister to Frankel, and sets out on her own career in the juvenile fillies’ maiden (5.55). From the Gosden yard and carrying the Juddmonte silks, she is Colin Keane's only mount of the day. Her rivals include Godolphin's Ribbon Of Sea, a sister to Ribblesdale runner-up Sea Silk Road.

Legacy Link17:55 Newmarket (July)

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Jky: Colin Keane Tnr: John & Thady Gosden

3. Wonderbolt, a three-year-old filly from the Karl Burke yard who was an eyecatcher in novice races in February and March, makes her handicap debut in the 7f fillies’ contest (7.40) later on the Newmarket card. Goodwood-esque quantities of trouble were experienced on her March run at Chelmsford, and we haven't seen Wonderbolt since her third run in early April. However, she returns with the yard in grand form and it would be no surprise to see a personal-best effort.

Wonderbolt19:40 Newmarket (July)

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Jky: David Egan Tnr: K R Burke

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