More Thunder impresses again at Newbury
Only an agonising Royal Ascot defeat in the Wokingham counts as a slight blot on the copybook of William Haggas' four-year-old this season. He was scoring for the fourth time in a campaign which has seen him now successfully climb the ladder into Group company.
Sent off the 6-4 favourite after landing the spoils in the Bunbury Cup last month, Tom Marquand had More Thunder in his customary position away from the pace as Hackwood Stakes winner Rage Of Bamby and Lennox Stakes victor Witness Stand disputed the it and led the runners into the closing stages.
However, the complexion of the race changed once Marquand eased his mount into top gear, weaving his way to the front with half a furlong to run before darting clear in tremendous fashion late on.
More Thunder finished two and a quarter lengths clear of Witness Stand who kept on gamely for second and Marvelman a head further back in third.
Haggas said: "He's progressing well and I was very pleased with him today, he won well.
"I still don't really know what his best trip is, but he seems to be getting better anyway and he was strong at the finish today, he wasn't stopping.
"I think he's quite effective if not at his best on slower ground and he's been fun. He's done very well and beat a horse who won a good race last time, so hopefully the form is strong and he's won comfortably so I'm delighted."
More Thunder holds a host of high-ranking entries at distances ranging from six furlongs to a mile later in the season and with Group Two honours secured, the Somerville Lodge handler raised the possibility of stepping up to the highest level before the year is out.
"I would say all options are open for him," continued Haggas. "We're in everything from six furlongs to a mile and he's won a Group Two now so we've got to go for another Group Two or a Group One and it will just depend on how many more races we're going to give him this season.
"He won at both the Craven and the Guineas meeting so he has been on the go for a while so we will have to see.
"We need to make plans, will he retire or race again as a five-year-old? So we've got lots to think about - but it's nice thinking."
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Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
More Thunder impresses again at Newbury
More Thunder continued his brilliant summer when powering home for an impressive victory in the Visit Malta Hungerford Stakes at Newbury. Only an agonising Royal Ascot defeat in the Wokingham counts as a slight blot on the copybook of William Haggas' four-year-old this season. He was scoring for the fourth time in a campaign which has seen him now successfully climb the ladder into Group company. Sent off the 6-4 favourite after landing the spoils in the Bunbury Cup last month, Tom Marquand had More Thunder in his customary position away from the pace as Hackwood Stakes winner Rage Of Bamby and Lennox Stakes victor Witness Stand disputed the it and led the runners into the closing stages. However, the complexion of the race changed once Marquand eased his mount into top gear, weaving his way to the front with half a furlong to run before darting clear in tremendous fashion late on. More Thunder finished two and a quarter lengths clear of Witness Stand who kept on gamely for second and Marvelman a head further back in third. Haggas said: "He's progressing well and I was very pleased with him today, he won well. "I still don't really know what his best trip is, but he seems to be getting better anyway and he was strong at the finish today, he wasn't stopping. "I think he's quite effective if not at his best on slower ground and he's been fun. He's done very well and beat a horse who won a good race last time, so hopefully the form is strong and he's won comfortably so I'm delighted." More Thunder holds a host of high-ranking entries at distances ranging from six furlongs to a mile later in the season and with Group Two honours secured, the Somerville Lodge handler raised the possibility of stepping up to the highest level before the year is out. "I would say all options are open for him," continued Haggas. "We're in everything from six furlongs to a mile and he's won a Group Two now so we've got to go for another Group Two or a Group One and it will just depend on how many more races we're going to give him this season. "He won at both the Craven and the Guineas meeting so he has been on the go for a while so we will have to see. "We need to make plans, will he retire or race again as a five-year-old? So we've got lots to think about - but it's nice thinking."
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I go through all the runners for this race below. SECRET GUEST (3.20 Ripon, treble) Can star in the William Hill Great St Wilfrid Handicap. He was an excellent third in the race 12 months ago for trainer Bryan Smart who has given him a little break since a good second at Thirsk last time out. The five-year-old is back from just 3lb higher than last year but his rider's claim takes care of that. He's drawn well in stall 11 and ticks all the boxes for this competitive contest. Advertisement Templegate's TV verdicts NEWBURY 1.50 PINHOLE looked a lot more than a handicapper when bolting up at Ascot last time. Advertisement That was just his third run for Ralph Beckett and he stormed home over 1m4f to suggest this longer trip would bring further improvement. He deserves another crack at this stronger company. Epic Poet didn't enjoy 1m4f in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot after going close in the Yorkshire Cup and will be happier at this distance. 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