'I’m sure he’ll turn up in one of the Guineas' - Karl Burke welcomes Classic talk as Alparslan lands Greenham Stakes

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Karl Burke has not ruled out the possibility of targeting both the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas after Alparslan enhanced his Classic credentials by downing hot rivals Zavateri and Albert Einstein to win the Greenham Stakes.

The son of Dandy Man was given a front-running ride by Clifford Lee, who has made a blistering return to action following his long layoff, and did enough from the front to win by a length. 

Alparslan was cut to 20-1 (from 66) with Paddy Power for the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 2, while the Irish equivalent three weeks later could also be on the radar for the three-time winner.

Burke said: "He’s a high-class horse, and I’m sure he’ll turn up in one of the Guineas, but it’s a case of which one we go for. We’ve got time to go to the English and Irish, but it’s a nice problem to have and I’m really happy."

Alparslan’s sole defeat came when he was sixth in last season’s Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes, and Burke added: "He’s been to Newmarket, and he didn’t like the undulations of the track, although that could’ve been down to two-year-old immaturity. It’s a question mark.

"Whether racing round a bend at Longchamp for the French Guineas would be his cup of tea, I don’t know, but the Curragh would suit him well as he’s obviously won there."

Alparslan has yet to be tested over a mile, but Burke is confident he would handle it.

He said: "The mile is the question, but when you look at the last 50 yards, he’s not stopping. He’s going away if anything."

Alparslan was sent off 9-1 for the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot-sponsored race and Burke believes he was slightly overlooked in the market behind Albert Einstein and Zavateri.

Alparslan: cut to 20-1 for the 2,000 Guineas following his winCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

He said: "I thought we were coming here under the radar. He’d only run three times, and he’s entitled to improve off those runs. He’s been working very well, and he’s got a great mind. He will definitely come on fitness-wise, and I’m sure there’s another gear for him.”

Eve Johnson Houghton is confident Zavateri will come on for his seasonal reappearance, although his Classic assignment has not yet been decided.

She said: "We were going to come for a racecourse gallop, but this will have brought him on a ton. He’s the most lovely horse and he’s grown a lot. I’m thrilled with him and he’s trained on clearly. He gets the trip, and he probably will get a mile."

Albert Einstein drifted to 25-1 (from 9) with Bet365 for the 2,000 Guineas after his second defeat of the season, and his next target will be discussed with the Ballydoyle team.

Coolmore’s British representative Kevin Buckley said: "He has run a creditable race in a muddling contest. We have to be happy with that. We'll let Ryan [Moore] speak with Aidan [O’Brien] and the owners, and then a decision will be made about which route we're going to go."

Betfred 2,000 Guineas (3.35 Newmarket, May 2)
Betfred: 11-4 Bow Echo, 5 Puerto Rico, 6 Distant Storm, 7 King's Trail, 12 Gstaad, 14 Oxagon, 16 Avicenna, Talk Of New York, 20 bar.

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