Sir Peter Vela’s colt Eminent finished a commendable sixth against the cream of Europe’s three-year-old crop in Saturday’s £500,000 Group 1 Qipco 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Newmarket in England.

The son of Frankel, who carries Sir Peter’s famous blue and white hooped racing colours, was unbeaten in two starts leading into Saturday’s classic, including the Group 3 Craven Stakes (1600m).

But the high-class field also featured two other unbeaten runners, along with last season’s champion juvenile Churchill (Galileo).

It was the latter who came out on top, surging to victory by a length to give trainer Aidan O’Brien a record eighth win in the 2000 Guineas.

While most of the action was on the stands side, Martyn Meade-trained Eminent stuck on bravely along the inside and finished just over three lengths from the winner.

Eminent is expected to be suited over longer distances and is nominated for next month’s £1.325 million Group 1 Investec Derby (2400m) at Epsom.