Alparslan storms clear to bring up Karl Burke's third winner of the Irish Champions Festival

Alparslan cemented a fine weekend for Karl Burke when he stormed clear in the Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales Stakes, becoming the stable's third winner at this year's Irish Champions Festival.

It was a wonderful return for the trainer given that he sent over just seven runners and the victories included a Group 1 winner in Fallen Angel.

Alparslan treated his rivals with disdain under Clifford Lee and looked a very smart prospect in his comfortable three and a half length victory. Such was the impression it left that it begged the question of whether the 5-4 favourite ranks towards the top of his juvenile team.

“Ah, I wouldn’t say that now,” said Burke. “He's a lovely colt, but he's workmanlike at home. He's not a speed horse. You never know until you get those horses on the track exactly what they have in the engine. 

“I'm delighted with him and I’d say we could go to a Listed race with him next. Maybe the Horris Hill at Newbury might be a nice race for him."

Group win for Harrington 

Jessica Harrington swooped late in winning the final Group race of the weekend when Barnavara powered clear of her rivals in the Group 2 Moyglare ''Jewels'' Blandford Stakes. The three-year-old has gone through the grades this year, winning at Listed level before following up with a Group 3 success. 

Barnavara and Shane Foley run out ready winners of the Group 2 Blandford StakesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

She was underwhelming last time but this was a career best. The result was never in doubt from the two-furlong pole, with the 6-1 chance ultimately sauntering three and a half lengths clear of One Look. The win left her trainer dreaming of Group 1 success at Longchamp on Arc weekend.

Harrington said: "I really enjoyed that. She's a fantastic filly and is improving. Each race she gets better and better. I thought Hotazhell would run very well, which he did, but she was my best chance this weekend based on her form.

“She goes to Longchamp now for the Opera. She's won a Listed, a Group 3 and a Group 2, so it's the natural way to go.”

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