Calyx to be given sprint option as Gosden assesses powerful Classic hand

Coventry Stakes winner Calyx is to be given an entry in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June as connections of the unbeaten son of Kingman assess if his future is over sprint distances.

Trainer John Gosden already has the 6-4 favourite for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas in Too Darn Hot, and Calyx, a 10-1 chance, could yet join him at Newmarket in May.

But plans for Calyx are still to be determined and the Commonwealth Cup, over six furlongs, is being considered as a serious option.

Calyx was an impressive five-length scorer over Octave in a 6f novice at Newmarket in June. Just ten days later, the Khalid Abdullah-owned colt blazed up the stands rail to defeat subsequent Group 1 winner Advertise over the same trip at the royal meeting.

The star juvenile then suffered a setback which curtailed his campaign but he has had a good winter and been cantering away well on Warren Hill in Newmarket recently.

Gosden said: "We're going to look between seven furlongs and a mile for Calyx. He comes out of the gate and travels strongly but he'll also have an entry in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup. We're keeping our mind open as he's a big powerful fast horse and we'll have him well entered up.

"We'll see how he trains through the spring as to which way he's sending us. He's done really well over winter and we'll listen to him as to which way we go."

Too Darn Hot, who ended last season as the highest rated juvenile since Frankel in 2011, is to kick off his season in the Group 3 Greenham Stakes at Newbury on April 13.

Gosden said of the unbeaten son Dubawi: "I'm very pleased with Too Darn Hot, who has grown and thickened out over winter and is cantering away nicely.

"We'll start him off in the Greenham and then look at the 2,000 Guineas. After those races we'll see which way we want to go trip-wise with him."

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