Alparslan stepped into the spotlight as a genuine 2000 Guineas prospect after delivering a decisive 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 – a horse who had previously captured a valuable sales race in Ireland as a juvenile and had 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 Irish‑trained colt, starting at 9‑1, maintained a comfortable one‑length advantage to the finish line.
Zavateri recovered from some interference in the closing stages to finish strongly in second place, while Albert Einstein completed the placings. After the race, Burke explained his confidence in the colt: "I thought we were coming here under the radar and he was always entitled to improve off his three starts last year. They are trials at the end of the day and you never know what might pop up, but I think he's beaten the right two horses there." He added that Alparslan had not taken to the undulating terrain at Newmarket during the Dewhurst, a factor that could have been down to his immaturity as a two‑year‑old. "It was his third quickish run and he came back sore, so the track might not be an issue but it is a question mark," Burke said.
He also noted the colt's physical attributes, describing him as a "big, heavy, gawky horse" and wondering whether a race around a bend at Longchamp would suit him, while suggesting that the Curragh could be a more natural fit given his previous success there. Nonetheless, Burke believes there is still time to target both the English and Irish Guineas if the connections choose to do so.
Burke summed up his optimism: "I'm sure there is another gear, the trip (mile) would be the question mark, but I think he's answered 90 per cent of that question here today. It would give me a lot of hope." Zavateri, a standout of the previous season who only lost his unbeaten record by finishing fourth in the Dewhurst, showed his class with an honest second place. Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton reflected on her horse's performance, noting that he ran a "lovely race" and appeared fresh despite a slow pace that left little room to maneuver. She praised jockey Ryan Moore for securing a pocket position for Albert Einstein and said, "He's picked up nicely when having the opportunity and we've finished behind a lovely looking horse who has clearly done well over the winter.
However, I can't be disappointed in my boy." Johnson Houghton admitted that the decision on which Guineas to target next month remains open, with France being the least likely option. "It would probably be between the other two," she said, indicating a probable focus on the English or Irish Classics. Meanwhile, at Ballydoyle, the discussion will centre on distance after Albert Einstein finished third.
Coolmore representative Kevin Buckley commented, "I think it was a bit more like it today and he's run a creditable race in a muddling race, so we have to be happy with that." He added that the team will consult with jockey Ryan Moore and trainer Aidan O'Brien before deciding the horse's future campaign. "We'll chew over it and he's run a good race," Buckley concluded, noting that Einstein appeared happier on the softer surface and that the experience will provide valuable insights for future planning.
In other news, Jack Channon's filly Sukanya delivered a stunning performance at Newbury, turning a last‑place position into a victory and denting the Classic hopes of Touleen in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes. Sukanya, who had previously placed fourth in a Group Three at Goodwood and second in a Listed race at Leopardstown, had seemed limited after a lackluster run in the Rockfel Stakes.
Sent off at 16‑1, she was held at the rear by David Probert before making a decisive move at the furlong pole, overtaking the 5‑4 favourite Touleen and holding off a strong challenge from Saffie Osborne to win by three‑quarters of a length. Channon praised his filly, saying, "She's a very good filly and had a very high level of class last year. My two‑year‑olds were very backwards last year and she was the obvious standout and put in some very good performances against some very good fillies." He highlighted her previous near‑misses, noting a fourth place behind Precise in the Prestige at Goodwood and a second to Diamond Necklace at Leopardstown, before describing the Rockfel as a race where she was "a bit over the top." He added, "I've told anyone who would listen over the last two weeks that this filly wouldn't finish outside of the first three and she's high‑class.
She's got a devilish turn of foot and she's beaten a filly fancied for the Guineas on merit today." Looking ahead, Channon intends to campaign Sukanya in major races, considering a supplement for the 1000 Guineas and possibly targeting the Irish 1000 Guineas, while remaining open to a Newmarket run if circumstances change. Trainer Owen Burrows, whose Touleen finished second, admitted, "I have no real excuses, she just didn't quicken up as I've seen at home or as a two‑year‑old. Whether or not she's just a bit rusty, I don't know is the honest answer." He expressed optimism that the filly would recover and remain a Guineas contender, emphasizing that she performed everything correctly despite the defeat.
The weekend also featured a thrilling win for Karl Burke and jockey Clifford Lee aboard Convergent in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes, more commonly known as the John Porter Stakes. The race had been expected to feature Constitution Hill, but the absence of Nicky Henderson's star did not diminish the quality of the field. Lee, returning from a serious quad‑bike accident that had left him in intensive care, guided the 4‑1 chance to victory, delivering a much‑needed morale boost for the team. Lee reflected on his comeback, saying, "This is fantastic and when I got back riding out and had the all‑clear, it's horses like this you are looking forward to.
The horses are in great form at home and this is what it is all about, enjoying these big days and the big races." He described his approach to the race, noting how he navigated through a crowded field and relied on Convergent's engine to pull clear. "He was just touched off in the German Derby last year and he's a lovely horse who we all like. The main thing he needs to do is settle and today he was lovely. Hopefully today won't light him up and he's very classy – he'd be right up there with the best at this distance I've ridden," Lee added.
Burke is now confident that Convergent has earned a place among elite company, eyeing the Coronation Cup at Epsom and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot as potential summer targets. "If we can keep him sound and going the right way I think there is a Group One in him for sure," Burke said. He compared the horse favorably to Al Qareem, noting that while the latter excelled over a mile and six furlongs, Convergent appears to possess the turn of foot required for the classic middle‑distance contests. Overall, the weekend at Newbury delivered a mix of surprise victories, reaffirmed Classic prospects, and valuable insights for trainers as they plot the paths to next month’s Guineas and the summer’s premier Group One races.