Andrew Balding will bid to chart a familiar path to Classic glory as connections of Gewan (Night Of Thunder) outlined plans for the Dewhurst Stakes winner to take in the Greenham Stakes prior to a tilt at the 2,000 Guineas – meanwhile, 4.8 million gns purchase Barnavara (Calyx) is nearing her debut Down Under for the same Ace Stud-backed ownership group.It was in the Greenham Stakes where Balding unleashed subsequent 2,000 Guineas winner Chaldean in 2023. However, disaster struck in the early-season Group 3 when Frankie Dettori was unshipped from the 5-4 favorite leaving the stalls. Gewan, who is no bigger than 10-1 for the 2,000 Guineas, will race in the white and green of Forz Europe Ltd, having been officially transferred from the ownership of Zhang Yuesheng earlier this month. Speaking about plans, Ace Stud's Paul Curran said, “It's an exciting time of year. We have some hugely exciting contenders for the season ahead and Gewan is our biggest hope. We're looking forward to seeing what he can do.“He is a big, strapping horse and has done well over the winter. The plan is to give him a run in the Greenham Stakes and then hopefully it will be all systems go to the Guineas. Andrew is very happy with the horse and he's very happy with how the horse is building back up towards race-fitness. He's doing everything right and is going in the right direction, which is the main thing for us.”Curran added, “Like any Guineas, it's one of the toughest races of the season, and you can expect to be coming up against some of the best three-year-olds of their generation. We try to concentrate solely on our own horse but we know the standard of horses we are facing – the likes of Gstaad, who is a Breeders' Cup winner, dual Group 1 winner Puerto Rico, Bow Echo and many others. It takes a very good horse to win a Guineas and this year's race looks like an up to scratch renewal.”Gewan was sold by Longways Stables to bloodstock agent Billy-Jackson Stops on behalf of Rabban Racing at the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale. However, he was purchased privately by his current connections after he was successful in the Acomb Stakes. Asked if Gewan's emergence as a genuine Classic contender would inspire Ace Stud to concentrate more on the upcoming breeze-up sales, Curran replied, “We haven't really thought that far ahead. When opportunities present themselves, you have to strike, and that was the thinking with Gewan. We stick to what we know and, if exciting horses pop out at us and they make a lot of sense, we will dig a little deeper. But certainly, we haven't discussed strategies and there is no black and white plan for us going forward, but we will be hoping to emulate Gewan in the next few years and if we get one half as good as him we will be laughing.”Ace Stud's Paul Curran | Tattersalls Barnavara sent tongues wagging when selling to Ace Stud, who signed under Sugar Whiskey Trading, for 4.8 million gns at the Sceptre Sessions of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale last year. Winner of the Group 1 Prix de l'Opera for Jessica Harrington, Barnavara has joined trainer Chris Waller, who managed the career Via Sistina, Yulong's most successful horse. Barnavara has been joined Down Under by staying prospect Seo Linn (Order Of St George), who was purchased at the same sale for 260,000gns.Curran explained, “Barnavara landed down to Chris Waller in Australia just over a week ago. Herself and Seo Linn, who we also bought at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale, travelled down well and they both look great. They spent almost four months in James Ferguson's yard in Newmarket before travelling Down Under. James did a fantastic job with them and looked after them in great detail.”He added, “Barnavara is ready to run and she has several entries. She could debut for us in Australia within the next two or three weeks but I'd expect Seo Linn could take a little longer than that. Via Sistina ran [and won] in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes four or five weeks off the box so it's something we've done before and it has been the plan for some time with Barnavara. They are two very exciting fillies to have in Australia. Via Sistina set the template and, while it will be no easy feat, Barnavara fits the bill given she is a Group 1 winner in Europe. She has every chance and is extremely exciting.”On some of other exciting youngsters on the European team, Curran concluded, “We have Royal Fixation (Palace Pier), who will run in a Guineas Trial, and looks a nice filly to go to war with this season. She is a nice filly who will retire to the broodmare band in time. We have herself and Evolutionist (Night Of Thunder) to look forward to as well so hopefully it will be a good year ahead.”The post Gewan To Return In The Greenham As Connections Eye 2,000 Guineas Glory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.