Convergent
Convergent did really well to win the John Porter Stakes at Newbury on Saturday. Settled into a nice racing rhythm from early by Clifford Lee just behind the leader Phantom Flight, he travelled really well into the home straight. Travelling best of all at the two-furlong marker, he went to go outside the leader, but there was no real gap there, then he went to go inside, but that gap didn't materialise and he had to check back, halting his momentum. Eventually he had to go back to just about last position before switching to his right and picking up. He showed an impressive turn of foot to quicken up and, while Al Aasy had momentum up down the outside, Convergent had the pace and the energy and the willingness to go on and get home by a half a length, running strongly all the way through the line and beyond.
This was impressive from Karl Burke's horse, in a race in which events conspired against him. He was a classy three-year-old last season, only just getting beaten in the German Derby before going to Leopardstown on Irish Champions' Weekend and winning the Group 3 CMG Group Stakes, despite racing keenly. Then he won a Group 2 race at Longchamp over 11 furlongs. This was a lovely start to the season for him. Karl Burke mentioned the Coronation Cup now as a next target, and that makes sense. He could morph into one of the top middle-distance older horses this season.
Newbury, 18th April 2026
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