Alparslan announced himself as a serious prospect for the 2000 Guineas after delivering a strong 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, but Karl Burke’s Alparslan – a horse that had won a valuable sales race in Ireland as a two‑year‑old and had finished behind Zavateri in the Dewhurst – was given the chance to lead the field under jockey Clifford Lee.
Both of the high‑profile rivals made brief moves to challenge Alparslan, yet the outsider at 9‑1 held a clear advantage and crossed the finish line a length ahead. Zavateri recovered from a troubled run to finish second, while Albert Einstein was left in third place.
After the race, Burke explained his thoughts: "We came into this race under the radar, but Alparslan was always bound to improve after only three starts last year. These trials are always unpredictable, and you never know which horse will rise on the day, but beating those two top‑class horses gave us a huge boost of confidence." He added that the colt had not taken well to the undulating terrain at Newmarket during the Dewhurst, attributing that to the immaturity typical of a two‑year‑old.
"It was his third quick run and he returned sore, so the track may not be a problem now, but it does raise a question mark," Burke said. "Clifford describes him as a big, heavy, somewhat gawky horse, so we’re not sure how he’ll handle a round‑the‑bend course like Longchamp. The Curragh could suit him better, especially after his win there, but he still has the option to target both the English and Irish Guineas if we wish." Burke believes there is another gear in Alparslan and that a mile distance could be the key test.
"I think he’s answered about ninety percent of that question today, which gives me a lot of hope for the future," he concluded. Zavateri, one of the standout performers of the previous season, had only lost his unbeaten record by finishing fourth in the Dewhurst. His respectable second‑place effort at Newbury left trainer Eve Johnson Houghton contemplating which version of the 2000 Guineas to contest next month. She remarked, "He ran a lovely race and seemed a little fresh.
The slow pace didn’t give him much room, but Ryan (Moore) positioned Albert Einstein well and kept him in a pocket. He’s shown improvement when given the chance, and we finished behind a horse that clearly benefited from a good winter. I can’t be disappointed with my boy." She added that the decision on which Guineas to target will be made next week, with France being the least likely option, leaving the English and Irish races as the probable choices.
For Albert Einstein, the focus shifts to distance. Coolmore’s Kevin Buckley said, "Today’s race was a bit different, but he ran a creditable effort in a muddling contest, so we’re happy with that. We’ll let Ryan discuss the outcome with Aidan, who wasn’t present, and then the owners will decide the next step.
Ryan didn’t want to commit until he talked to Aidan, so we still have options. We’ll chew over it and recognize he ran a good race.
He was still in the mix, and when Ryan asked for him, he responded well. He seemed happier on this surface, so we’ve learned something that we’ll digest overnight." In other news, Jack Channon’s filly Sukanya turned a last‑to‑first run into a classic‑spoiling victory in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes at Newbury, beating the 5‑4 favourite Touleen, who had been leading at the furlong pole.
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 disappointing finish in the Rockfel Stakes. Sent off at 16‑1, she was held at the rear by jockey David Probert before finding her stride in the final stages and winning by three‑quarters of a length.
Channon praised his filly, saying, "She’s a very good filly with a high level of class from last year. My two‑year‑olds were very backwards, and she stood out, delivering strong performances against quality fillies.
She was unlucky fourth behind Precise in the Prestige at Goodwood, then second to Diamond Necklace at Leopardstown, and a bit over the top in the Rockfel. I’ve told anyone who will listen that she won’t finish outside the first three – she’s high‑class with a devilish turn of foot, and she beat a Guineas‑fancied filly on merit today." He added that the plan is to campaign her in big races, possibly supplementing her for the 1000 Guineas, though he noted she prefers firm ground.
"My first reaction is to aim for the Irish 1,000 Guineas, but if I have to bend my arm, I won’t complain about a runner at Newmarket." Touleen’s trainer Owen Burrows offered a candid assessment: "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 little rusty is the honest answer.
Saffie said she was the last to pull up and purposely let her gallop out, so I have no worries about going further. We'll see how she recovers, and as long as she’s fine, the Guineas remain an option.
Maybe she’s just a bit rusty, but she didn’t show the speed she displayed in her first two runs. Other than that she did everything right, and I’m perfectly happy despite finishing second." Meanwhile, Karl Burke and Clifford Lee were left dreaming of bigger targets after Convergent navigated a congested run to secure a narrow win in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes, more commonly known as the John Porter Stakes, at Newbury. 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, riding the 4‑1 chance Convergent, guided the horse to the front just in time, delivering a welcome Group‑level victory for Burke after the jockey’s serious quad‑bike accident that had left him in intensive care. On returning to the saddle, Lee said, "This is fantastic.
When I got the all‑clear and was back riding, it’s horses like this that 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." He reflected on his recovery: "The accident knocked me down and dented my ego a bit, but once I started getting better I became very straight‑minded and bullish. I never do anything half‑heartedly – I give 150 per cent." Regarding the race itself, Lee noted, "From the cut‑away I could see them edging over and I was in a bit of 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 out of trouble. He was just touched off in the German Derby last year and he’s a lovely horse we all like. The main thing is to 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." Burke now believes Convergent has earned a place among elite company, with the Coronation Cup at Epsom and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on the summer agenda. "If we can keep him sound and progressing the right way, I think there’s a Group One in him for sure," the Spigot Lodge trainer said.
"He could be the best we’ve had over these distances. Before him it would be Al Qareem, but he’s more of a mile‑and‑six horse and wouldn’t have this fellow’s gears. I think we’ll certainly try the Coronation Cup, and the track and everything about the King George at Ascot would be fantastic for him."