Thomas Mor

Thomas Mor stayed on well to win the three-mile handicap hurdle at Ascot last Saturday. Prominent from early, he moved into the lead at the third flight, and he didn’t see a rival after that. You wouldn’t have called him as the most likely winner on the run to the home turn, it looked like his three immediate pursuers were all travelling better, but he picked up again off the home turn. Loup De Maulde did mount a challenge between the final two flights, but Thomas Mor found more, and he stayed on well up the run-in to win by over four lengths, with the first two well clear.
This was a wholly likeable performance by David Pipe’s horse. A point-to-point winner for Colin Bowe, this was his fourth run over hurdles for his current trainer, and it was his third win. His only defeat over hurdles was on his previous run in the Challow Hurdle, in Grade 1 company and racing on very soft ground, so you can easily allow him that.

This was his first handicap, he proved that he was more than up to a mark of 125, and an 8lb hike may not halt his progression. He does hold an entry in the Albert Bartlett Hurdle, but he would be of greater interest if he ran in another staying handicap hurdle now off his new mark. He stays well and his best form is on good and good to soft ground.
Ascot, 18^th February 2023