Thunder Ball

It might be worthwhile giving Thunder Ball another chance after his run in the Lincoln. Never far off the lead in a race that was run at a strong pace, he moved easily into the lead on the far side on the run to the two-furlong marker. He came under a ride inside the two-furlong marker, and he ultimately faded to finish seventh, but that was understandable given that he raced up with a strong pace from early.

This was a race in which the early pace was strong and in which the hold-up horses came to the fore. The first six home all came from mid-division or worse, and the winner’s finishing speed was 96.19% of overall speed. This was Thunder Ball’s seasonal debut so, while the Lincoln was surely an early-season target for the Coles’ horse, there is every chance that he will still come on for it. He goes well on soft ground, and he goes well at Goodwood, where he has finished second and first in two runs to date, both runs on soft ground over a mile, so he will be of particular interest if and when he goes back to Goodwood.
Doncaster, 23^rd March 2024