'Very, very fast' Albert Einstein as short as 11-10 for Coventry after overcoming notable trouble in running

Albert Einstein is hot favourite for next month's Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot after overcoming trouble in running to land the Marble Hill Stakes. He started the day 5-2 market leader but was cut to as short as 11-10 after his Group 3 success.

Aidan O’Brien has not hidden his admiration for Albert Einstein, but it was not all plain sailing for the 4-11 favourite after he raced keenly and was caught in a pocket. He was switched out by Ryan Moore just before the furlong marker and needed a split second for his afterburners to kick in before asserting in the final 100 yards. 

“Ryan waited and got him to relax as best he could,” said O’Brien. “When he pulled him out he said it took a minute for him to engage, but he's a very fast horse. We were hoping it was going to be a fast-run race, which I thought it was, but Ryan said he'd have liked them to have gone even faster.” 

O'Brien added: “The plan was to come here and go to the Coventry. I was worried today because it was so windy and he's so sharp mentally, but he had to run. If everything goes well I think he'll go to the Coventry, but all those things are decided the week before Royal Ascot.”

Albert Einstein was following up his maiden win at Naas and underwent a number of name changes before coming to the track as he continued to show his connections more and more ability at home. 

“I think his name was changed three times,” said O’Brien. “Every time we named him I think Sue [Magnier] maybe thought the name wasn’t good enough. I wasn’t even sure what his name was because it was changed so many times. I'm delighted for the lads and he's very exciting.”

Analysis: 'He may be up to Coventry-winning standard but it depends who takes him on' 

By David Toft, race analyst

Albert Einstein, a winner at Naas 15 days earlier, raced keenly just behind the leading pair but picked up nicely enough to get past the two in front of him once he moved into the clear, for all that he needed to be ridden to get ahead.

Pretty much any sort of win was always likely to see him shorten in the betting for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, and he went from 5-2 into 11-10 in a place. The son of Wootton Bassett may well be up to the task next month and he no doubt has a lot more to come, but it will also will depend on what takes him on, as this wasn't a wide-margin success.

Caravaggio in 2016 was the last horse to do the Marble Hill-Coventry double, with Blackbeard finishing fourth at Ascot in 2022, as did Givemethebeatboys in 2023.

Coventry Stakes (Royal Ascot, June 17)

William Hill: 6-4 Albert Einstein, 6 Treanmor, 8 Charles Darwin, 10 First Legion, Postmodern 12 Gstaad, 14 bar.

Porta Fortuna hits the line first in the Lanwades Stud StakesCredit: Patrick McCann

Fine Fortuna sets up Group 1 return

The high-class Porta Fortuna made no mistake on her return to action with a fine performance in the Lanwades Stud Stakes. 

The Donnacha O’Brien-trained flagbearer was kept exclusively to the highest level last year, winning three Group 1s, but she dropped to Group 2 company for her seasonal debut and won cosily by half a length. 

The daughter of Caravaggio was a little weak in the market, having drifted from odds-on earlier in the day to a starting price of 5-4, but she put any doubters in their place with an easy victory. 

The Paddy Twomey-trained One Look kept Porta Fortuna honest all the way after the winner took the lead a furlong out, but she never looked as though she would go past the ultra-consistent filly.

“It was a lovely starting point for her,” said O’Brien. “She did things right, relaxed nicely and quickened up well. Ryan [Moore] said she just got a little bit idle in front.”

Coral cut Porta Fortuna to 6-1 (from 8) for the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot next month. She will bid to win at the royal meeting for the third consecutive year, while the trainer did not rule out another trip abroad later in the campaign.

Queen Anne Stakes is next for four-time Group 1 winner Porta FortunaCredit: Patrick McCann

“The Queen Anne seems the most likely option,” said O’Brien. “She could run in that or the Duke of Cambridge, but I think having won so nicely and given she's training well and she's happy and healthy, I think we have to look at the Queen Anne. 

“America was a target last year and the year before, so it seems like an obvious possibility at the end of the year.”

O’Brien had given a hint earlier in the day his stable was in fine fettle when having the first two home in the opening 6f fillies' maiden. 

Cape Sounion was the well backed 7-4 favourite, but she could manage only second as top spot was taken by Balantina at 6-1.

“When they finish one-two you probably think you should have split them up, but it's nice they both ran well,” said O'Brien. “Balantina took a nice step forward and she could take her chance in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot."

Sharpen likewise took a significant step forward from her debut to win the 1m2f fillies' maiden and complete a memorable treble for the stable.

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