Big Ben brings up O'Brien/Heffernan treble

Seamie Heffernan dictated the fractions on Big Ben in the mile-and-a-quarter maiden and the colt found plenty at the business end, although his backers had a heart in mouth moment when he took a jump deep inside the final furlong.

The Galileo colt had solid placed form in the book behind the very progressive Stellar Mass and was sent off the 13/8 favourite to oblige on his second run.

He was challenged by stablemate Tree Of Knowledge as the raced unfolded three furlongs out.

Heffernan went for the whip a furlong and a half out and his mount kept grinding it out on the far rail.

Tree Of Knowledge could make no impression on him and the gap increased in the last furlong when Big Ben made a leap over 100 yards out.

When back on an even keel, he got back into stride to take the spoils from Tree Of Knowledge (11/4) who was able to close after that incident to within three parts of a length.

Aidan O'Brien said: "He's a tough hardy horse. He's still green and when he gave him a belt he hit the rail.

“Hopefully he'll keep progressing and I think he'll stay further so he'll probably step up in trip.

“Donnacha's horse (Tree Of Knowledge) came forward too and on his next run I'd say he'll be there.”

Of the other horses that comprised his treble today, O'Brien said: "Very happy. Churchill s a lovely horse, he cruises well through the race. He's very relaxed in a race. When he goes there he doesn't do a lot, that's the only little thing you have to be careful with him. When Seamus gave him a dig today he pulled out and stretched when he wanted.

"We'll come back here for the National Stakes, that's the plan. He's a big powerful horse with plenty of speed. He works more like a miler than a middle-distance horse. You'd imagine he'd definitely get 10 (furlongs) and who knows about the mile and a half.

"Seamus rode her (Rhododendron) here the first day and he loved her and then Ryan (Moore) rode her in Goodwood and he was very happy with her. Obviously she's a lovely laidback filly, she races lovely and relaxed on the bridle and stays well too."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson