Churchill Stakes Runner-by-Runner Guide: Brussels Eyes Redemption Brussels headlines the field in the Churchill Stakes at Tipperary on Friday evening after showing promise with a debut win at the Curragh earlier this year. The biggest challenger to the odds-on favourite is Thesecretadversary, who is looking for a first victory after finishing second in three previous starts. Read on for our full runner-by-runner guide to the Churchill Stakes. 1. Brussels Made a winning debut at the Curragh, beating stablemate Kansas by three-quarters of a length. Was 9/4 second favourite for the July Stakes, but was a disappointing fourth, perhaps he and favourite Maximized took each other on too early which allowed others to come from off the pace. Holds a number of Group 2 and Group 1 entries for later in the season Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Jockey: Wayne Lordon 2. Empty Wallet Fourth on debut at Down Royal, but showed clear improvement to win by a length on his second start when upped in trip to a mile. That effort hinted at more to come, but this represents a big step up in class and he may find one or two rivals better equipped at this level. Not without potential and could outrun his odds if continuing his upward trajectory. Trainer: Ger Lyons Jockey: James Ryan 3. Maximum Scepticism Fourth behind Brussels on debut, fifth on his next start when upped in trip and while the race looked strong on paper, several have been disappointing next time out. He got off the mark at the third time of asking in a low-key novice at Nottingham. Would be a surprise if he reversed the form with Brussels. Trainer: Joseph O'Brien Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle 4. Suspicous Mindz 170,000gns yearling, half-brother to Norfolk Stakes winner The Riddler. Disappointing eighth on debut having gone off 7/2 in a six furlong maiden at the Curragh. Will need to improve significantly, but he is entitled to come on from his debut. He is capable of being a Group horse on breeding. Trainer: Mrs John Harrington Jockey: Nathan Crosse 5. Thesecretadversary Has yet to win, having finished second on all three starts, but arguably has the best form on paper. He finished three-quarters of a length behind the highly regarded Italy, and followed that up with second in the Chesham. He was sent off 2/13 and was the obvious form pick at Ayr, but failed to win. That was his first time on ground quicker than good, so perhaps that may be an excuse, and a return to a better surface today may help show the best of him Trainer: James Stack Jockey: Seamie Heffernan 6. Time Bender Is the only one of the six runners to win over seven furlongs (although today is 50 yards longer) which he achieved on debut at Leopardstown last month, providing a shock at 33/1. His full brother failed to win in four starts, so there wasn’t much expectation for him. The form from the race has worked out ok, with the second winning a maiden at Galway and several others finishing behind in that race. This is a stronger challenge, but he is entitled to take his chance Trainer: William Durkan Jockey: Chris Hayes
