Saturday, 3 May 2025: Charlie Appleby’s Alpine Trail took the step up in class in his stride with a front-running success in the 1m2f Newmarket Stakes on the opening day of the Guineas Festival.

ALPINE TRAIL winning the Newmarket Stakes at Newmarket in England.

The son of Dubawi had recorded easy victories on his two prior performances, a three-length success in a novice event at Wolverhampton before defying a penalty for a larger-margin win at Yarmouth at the start of April.

The task in the Newmarket Stakes was made easier with the late withdrawal of rival Harvey, who bolted past the start in the hands of Ryan Moore  and it was left to William Buick , aboard Alpine Trail, to set the pace in the ten-furlong contest. He remained at the head of proceedings throughout the first mile and by the descension into the Dip, Buick was ready to increase the tempo, leaving less experienced rivals struggling to keep up with him. The only main danger came from the Hollie Doyle-ridden Nebras, a half-brother to Group 1-winning mare Nashwa, who launched a bid on the far side. Alpine Trail remained in control all the way to line, recording a three-length success over Nebras, with a further three-and-a-quarter lengths back to Ernst Blofeld in third.

Charlie Appleby  said: "He has done nothing wrong.

"Even at home, to be fair to him, he has never been an exciting horse to watch but the lads will say he is a hard horse to get past in a gallop.

"We could now look at something like the Lingfield Derby Trial for him. Do I think he is a Derby horse? I don't know. Like I say, he wouldn't jump out at home but you can't fault what he has done on the track.

"He is not currently entered in the Derby but we will step him up at Lingfield and see what materialises from there,

"He has done it all nicely today. He showed he stays and stepping up to a mile and a half might see more improvement again – which he will need with what we are mooting for.

"He was a raw Dubawi last year who just needed a bit of time. He got it and has repaid us so far."

Alpine Trail is the first Black Type winner for dam Pollara (Camelot), successful in the Group 3 Prix de Royaumont for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard.

Although the Godolphin colt does not hold any current entries, he was introduced into the Derby market at 25/1 by Paddy Power.