Astaire set for sprinting campaign Astaire is to concentrate on sprinting after failing to last out the seven furlongs of the Aon Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday. Last year's Gimcrack and Middle Park Stakes hero faded into fifth place behind Kingman after setting the pace under Kieren Fallon until just inside the final furlong. Trainer Kevin Ryan will now aim the colt at the Group Two Duke Of York Clipper Logistics Stakes at York on May 14. "Astaire's fine. He just didn't stay and he'll go back to sprinting now," said the North Yorkshire handler. "He'll probably go for the Duke Of York now, that will be his next target." Astaire, a son of Jim Bolger's 2008 Dewhurst winner Intense Focus, is a best-priced 10-1 chance for the big Knavesmire sprint with bet365. Connections of Berkshire have been left to mull over the future after the colt disappointed in the Greenham. The Classic hope, with entries in the Qipco 2000 Guineas and Investec Derby, ruined his chance by running too freely and pulling far too hard in the early stages. The Paul Cole-trained colt beat only one horse home. A regrouping is now needed for Berkshire, who was a very smart two-year-old, winning the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket. "Berkshire's fine and he's sound this morning. I think we have to go back to the drawing board and get him to settle after he pulled that hard," said Cole's son and assistant, Oliver. "We'll talk to the owners and see what they want to do. Options are still open. We will have to see how he comes out of the race and go from there."
