Dewhurst hero Gewan limbering up for Greenham start Gewan will chart a tried-and-tested route to the Betfred 2000 Guineas when he puts his Classic aspirations to the test in the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes later this month. The illustrious Frankel famously claimed the Newbury trial before marching on to Newmarket to conquer the Rowley Mile in 2011, but it is also a race the Dewhurst hero’s trainer Andrew Balding intended to start off his 2000 Guineas champion Chaldean in 2023 and won with Jonquil 12 months ago before he went close in the French 2000 Guineas next time. Chaldean of course unshipped Frankie Dettori at the start three years ago before making amends in style under the decorated Italian on the first Saturday in May, and Gewan’s owners Forz Europe Ltd are happy to tread the same path to the first big race of summer. “He’s going to the Greenham, which is just down the road from Andrew at Newbury, and we’re excited to see how he will get on, he’s an exciting horse for the year,” said the owners’ racing and bloodstock manager Paul Curran. “This looks a nice starting point for him and traditionally is a good place to go ahead of a Guineas. “He seems to be in great order and Andrew is very happy with how he is doing, which is good. We’re excited to see him get back on the track.” Gewan is as short as 6-1 for the first Classic of the season, after an almost faultless juvenile campaign that saw him win three of his four outings and also end the year named champion two-year-old. However, the owners have another exciting colt beginning to make waves at Karl Burke’s base in Middleham, with fellow 2000 Guineas entrant Crown Relic dazzling in two low-key events so far on the all-weather. The son of Kingman, who is 66-1 for top honours at Newmarket on May 2, could now head to France to test the waters up in grade before a decision is made on a potential Classic tilt. “We’re looking at a Guineas and which one he goes for will depend on how his prep race goes,” continued Curran. “He’s got an entry next week in the Prix Djebel at Deauville (April 7) which we think will be a nice place for him to get a bit more education after his two runs so far. “We’ll obviously monitor the situation with the ground, but he’s a horse that is extremely exciting for us and one we have big plans with for the year. “If he doesn’t go to France, he might run in one of the nice races at Newmarket, but we hope his next start will be a good telling point as to his level and we certainly have big aspirations for the horse, he’s going well and Karl really likes him.”
