Convergent impresses Burke with ParisLongchamp strike

Karl Burke is looking forward to campaigning Convergent at the highest level next season after he signed off his three-year-old campaign with victory in the Prix du Conseil de Paris.

Winner of his first two starts before finishing third behind subsequent dual Derby winner Lambourn in the Chester Vase, Convergent was then narrowly denied in the German Derby before bouncing back to winning ways in a Group Three on Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown.

The Fascinating Rock colt had his sights raised to Group Two level at ParisLongchamp and after travelling strongly into the straight in the hands of Clifford Lee, he kicked up a gear racing inside the final furlong to pick up the previously unbeaten Yellow Jersey and the globetrotting Dubai Honour.

Burke said: “He’s a really good horse and that’s the first time I’ve seen him really settle, which I was delighted with, because I was bit worried we might have to go forward if he was keen and make the running which wouldn’t have been ideal I don’t think. He doesn’t do a lot when he gets to the front.

“He’s very much a horse we had in mind for his four-year-old career – I think he can make up into a Group One horse next season.

“He was very unlucky not to win the German Derby, that said if he’d won that we probably wouldn’t have gone there today as we’d have been keeping him in Group One races.

“It’s a great result for the owner-breeders (Newtown Anner Stud) and I thought Cliff gave him a very intelligent ride.

“There’ll be a lot of good races to go for with that type of horse next year.”

There was further success for the raiding party in the Prix Casimir Delamarre, with Rainbows Edge carrying the royal silks of the King and Queen to Listed honours.

Having been placed at this level three times this season, John and Thady Gosden’s filly made very yard of the running under the newly-crowned five-times champion jockey Oisin Murphy, who told Sky Sports Racing: “Thady and I spoke this morning, we thought she probably had the best form in the race so we’d try to keep it simple and John thought the same.

“She ought to win one of these and I’m pleased she got the job done today. Obviously it’s a privilege riding in these colours and it’s a nice victory at Longchamp.”