Convergent seeking German Derby glory for Burke

Convergent bids to provide trainer Karl Burke with a third European Classic success in the German Derby in Hamburg on Sunday.

Although the Spigot Lodge handler has yet to taste Classic glory in Britain, he saddled Laurens to land the 2018 French Oaks before Fallen Angel ran out a brilliant winner of last year’s Irish 1,000 Guineas.

The lightly-raced Convergent heads across Europe with leading claims, having confirmed the promise of a couple of low-key wins at Redcar by finishing third behind subsequent dual Derby winner Lambourn and the Epsom runner-up and Curragh third Lazy Griff in the Chester Vase in May.

Burke said: “I’m looking forward to seeing him run. He’s a progressive horse, we think he’s a really nice horse with a big future in front of him, so hopefully he can prove that on Sunday.

“We missed Royal Ascot because of the ground – he’d have gone there if it had been a bit slower ground. They say the ground is beautiful in Hamburg with a lovely covering of grass and we’ve got a reasonable draw (stall seven), so all things being equal he should run a big race.”

Reflecting on his Chester performance, the trainer added: “It wasn’t the plan to make the running there, I know making the running can help at Chester but he’s a big, raw horse and because nothing wanted to go forward we ended up in front.

“I wouldn’t say it was a huge disadvantage, but he’ll be a better horse with a lead and I think we’d have finished closer again if we’d been tracking them rather than them tracking us.”

Convergent is the sole British raider in a field of 18 runners.

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