Alparslan proved himself to be a genuine contender for the 2000 Guineas after delivering a striking performance in the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes at Newbury. The betting market had been dominated by Aidan O'Brien's Albert Einstein and Eve Johnson Houghton's Group One winner Zavateri, yet Karl Burke’s Alparslan, who had previously secured a valuable sales race victory in Ireland as a juvenile and finished behind Zavateri in the Dewhurst, was given the chance to lead the field under the guidance of jockey Clifford Lee. Both of the high‑profile rivals made brief moves to challenge Alparslan, but the 9‑1 shot held a clear advantage, crossing the finish line with a length to spare.
Zavateri recovered from a troubled run to finish strongly in second place. After the race, Burke commented, "We came in under the radar and the horse was always bound to improve after his three starts last year. These trials are always unpredictable, but he beat the right two horses today." He continued, "He didn’t take to the undulations at Newmarket in the Dewhurst, but that may have been a sign of two‑year‑old immaturity.
This was his third quick run and he returned sore, so the track itself may not be the issue, though it remains a question mark. Clifford describes him as a big, heavy, somewhat gawky horse, so I’m not sure how he’ll handle a round‑the‑bend race at Longchamp, but the Curragh could suit him, especially after his win there. He still has time to target both the English and Irish Guineas if we choose." Burke added, "I think there’s another gear in him, the mile distance is the big question, but today he answered about ninety percent of that query.
It gives me a lot of hope for the future." Zavateri, one of the standout performers of the previous season, had only lost his unbeaten record by finishing fourth in the Dewhurst. After a respectable second in the Greenham, local trainer Johnson Houghton said she would now weigh up which version of the 2000 Guineas to contest next month.
She explained, "He ran a lovely race and seemed fresh. A slow pace meant there was nowhere to go, and Ryan (Moore) positioned Albert Einstein well.
He picked up nicely when given the chance and we finished behind a very attractive horse who has clearly improved over the winter. I’m not disappointed in my boy.
We’ll decide next week which Guineas to target; France is unlikely, so it will probably be between the English and Irish versions." Meanwhile, Coolmore’s Albert Einstein finished third, prompting a discussion about distance at Ballydoyle. Kevin Buckley, speaking for Coolmore, said, "The race today suited him better than expected and he ran a creditable effort in a muddling contest, so we’re happy with the result.
We’ll let Ryan talk to Aidan, who wasn’t present, and then the owners will decide the next step. Ryan didn’t want to commit until he heard from Aidan, so we still have options. We’ll chew on it and recognize that he ran a good race. He stayed in the mix and was happier on this surface, giving us useful information to digest overnight." In other news, Jack Channon’s Sukanya turned a last‑to‑first performance into a decisive victory over Touleen in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes at Newbury.
The filly, who had placed fourth in a Group Three at Goodwood and second in a Listed race at Leopardstown the previous season, seemed limited after a poor showing in the Rockfel Stakes. Sent out at 16‑1, she was held at the rear by David Probert before being forced to drop back early. Despite a strong challenge from 5‑4 favourite Touleen, who surged to the front at the furlong pole under Saffie Osborne, Sukanya found her stride and won by three‑quarters of a length. Channon praised his filly, saying, "She’s a very good filly with a high level of class last year.
My two‑year‑olds were very backwards, and she stood out, delivering strong performances against top fillies. She was unlucky in the Prestige at Goodwood, finishing fourth behind Precise, then second to Diamond Necklace at Leopardstown, and a bit over the top in the Rockfel. I’ve told anyone who would listen that she won’t finish outside the first three; she has a devilish turn of foot and beat a Guineas‑favoured filly on merit today.
We’ll campaign her in big races now. We may have to supplement for the 1000 Guineas, and I think she’ll need top‑ground, but we’ll discuss options with the owners. My first thought is the Irish 1,000 Guineas, but I wouldn’t complain about a run at Newmarket either." Touleen’s trainer Owen Burrows admitted, "I have no real excuses; she just didn’t quicken as I’ve seen at home or as a two‑year‑old. Whether she’s a bit rusty is the honest answer.
Saffie said she was the last to pull up and deliberately let her gallop out, so I have no worries about future runs. If she comes out of this well, the Guineas remain an option.
She didn’t show the speed she displayed in her first two starts, but otherwise she did everything right, and I’m happy despite finishing second." Later at Newbury, Karl Burke and Clifford Lee dreamed of bigger victories after Convergent navigated a crowded field to claim a narrow win in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes, more commonly known as the John Porter Stakes. The race, originally expected to feature Constitution Hill, still attracted a high‑quality lineup despite the star’s absence. Lee, riding the 4‑1 chance, guided Convergent to the front just in time, delivering a much‑needed Group‑level win for Burke after the jockey’s serious quad‑bike accident that had left him in intensive care. Reflecting on his comeback, Lee said, "It’s fantastic.
When I got the all‑clear and returned to the saddle, horses like this make you look forward to the sport. The horses are in great form at home, and this is what it’s all about – enjoying big days and big races.
The accident dented my ego, but once I recovered I was determined to give 150 percent and never do anything half‑heartedly." He added details of the race: "From the cut‑away I could see the field edging over, and I found myself in no man’s land as the race unfolded. They all got the first run on me, but luckily the horse had the engine to get us out of trouble. He was just touched off in the German Derby last year and is a lovely horse we all like. The main thing is to settle, and today he was perfect.
Hopefully he won’t be over‑exerted and remains classy – he could be right up there with the best at this distance. I’m delighted for Karl and the whole team who worked hard through the winter.
He almost gave me a Classic, and he’ll win a nice race soon." Burke now believes Convergent has earned a place among elite company, targeting the Coronation Cup at Epsom and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot later in the summer. He remarked, "If we can keep him sound and progressing, I think there’s a Group One in him for sure. He could become the best we’ve had over these distances. Before him we had Al Qareem, but he was more of a mile‑and‑six horse and didn’t have this fellow’s gears.
I think we’ll certainly try the Coronation Cup, and the King George at Ascot would be fantastic for him."