Karl Burke has Royal Ascot target for Unfortunately

Karl Burke hopes Unfortunately can develop into a serious contender for next year's Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot following his first top-level success in France on Sunday.

Although an outing in the Juddmonte Middle Park is next on the agenda after leading home stablemate Havana Grey in the Prix Morny, the Leyburn trainer already has half an eye on the six-furlong Group One prize at the Berkshire track next June.

Burke said: "Unfortunately will head to the Middle Park now, but I can see him being a serious contender for the Commonwealth Cup. Physically I see him just growing a lot and strengthening.

"It was a great performance from them both on Sunday. It is not easy taking them abroad, as everything has to go right.

"I was very happy with the little canter they had Friday morning on the track and they looked fantastic in the paddock.

"It was a shame they had to take each other on. We could have sent one to the Gimcrack, but that is a Group Two and they both deserved their chance in a Group One.

"I was amazed how big a price they were. I know there were three nice fillies in the race, but our pair had good Group-winning form.

"You could not say Havana Grey didn't stay the trip, he was just was just outstayed by Unfortunately."

Havana Grey could now drop back to five furlongs, with Burke considering a tilt at next month's Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster ahead of a possible return to France for the Prix de l'Abbaye at Chantilly in October.

He said: "I would think Havana Grey will head to Doncaster for the Flying Childers, I am pretty sure that is where he will go.

"I will have a discussion with the owners, but it is quite possible he will get an entry in the Abbaye as it is the only five-furlong Group One left.

"He has blistering speed and a fantastic high cruising speed. I don't really want to take on the older horses, but he would get a lot of weight off them and it could be easy ground out there. All options are open.

"There is no reason why he won't progress into a top Group One five-furlong horse next season."