Zeus Olympios announced himself as one of the most exciting horses about when putting up a decisive display in the Joel Stakes at Newmarket.

A winner of two lowkey novice contests at Kempton and Thirsk, the flashy chestnut colt, who sports four eye-catching white socks, proved more than capable of stepping up to group company when running out a commanding winner of the Group 3 Superior Mile Stakes at Haydock 20 days ago.

Stepping up another notch into Group 2 level, Zeus Olympios looked to face a tough task in downing Charlie Appleby's equally exciting Opera Ballo.

Things looked to be going smoothly for Opera Ballo as he cruised into the lead on the approach to the final two furlongs, but it quickly became clear that he had a race on his hands, with Clifford Lee and Zeus Olympios setting off in hot pursuit to run down Appleby's charge.

Buick soon asked his mount for maximum effort on the approach to the last furlong and while he responded gamely for pressure, he shortly found himself hard-pressed by Zeus Olmpios, who swept past against the near side rail before drawing clear for a taking two and a quarter length success.

To his credit, Opera Ballo battled on well to claim the runner-up spot, with Detain bouncing back to form in third.

"I'm very happy, obviously," said Burke. "He's a beautiful horse and I knew he'd strengthened and gone forward from Haydock.

"Interestingly he wasn't heavier, but to my eye physically he looked stronger and he's obviously a horse with a big future.

"I wouldn't say he's taken us by surprise, we've always thought he was a lovely horse, but he was such a weak horse as well.

"He arrived to us from Roger Varian's as a bit of a shell and then he got a bit of injury, but so often when those immature two-year-olds get injuries, as long as they're not major it's a blessing in disguise as you have to lock them up and all they do is grow and strengthen.

"I think he has to be a very good horse for the favourite to get first run on us today and for us to then come and cut him down."

When asked if he could be supplemented for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Champions Day, Burke replied: "I'd have to speak to Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, I don't know.

"It comes a bit quick, and he obviously has Rosallion for the that, I can't see they'd take each other on and I've always said our horse is very much a horse for next year.

"I'm sure next season we'll start by aiming at the Lockinge and go from there."