More Thunder
More Thunder did really well to win the six-furlong handicap at Newmarket on Saturday. Back in the field early on, he came under a ride fully three furlongs out. Twelfth of the 13 runners at that point, he had to make his way through horses and, while he wasn't checked in his run, he had to muscle his way through a closing gap between Lethal Levi and Run Boy Run. Once through it though, he stuck his neck out willingly and just got up to beat old rival Aramram by a head.
William Haggas' horse was 3lb well-in here, the handicapper had raised him by 8lb to a mark of 95 for his win over this course and distance at the Craven meeting in April, and he was racing under a 5lb penalty off a mark of 92, but he obviously took a nice step forward for his seasonal return. A winner over 10 furlongs last season when he was with Sir Michael Stoute, he obviously had enough pace to win his first two races this season over six furlongs - his dam's three wins, including a listed race, were all gained over six furlongs - but the ground was on the easy side of good when he won in April and, on faster ground here, at a fast track and with a tailwind, he just about got away with it. He could do with a stiffer test now, perhaps just a move to a stiffer track over this trip, and that would bring the Wokingham at Royal Ascot into the equation, a race that his trainer is reportedly considering. He could move to easier ground, or he could step up in trip to seven furlongs or even a mile in time. The handicapper has given him a mark of 96 after this win, but that is just 1lb higher than the mark he was given after his win at the Craven meeting, and that is not harsh. He is progressive and he will be of big interest again now off his new mark. He could be better than a handicapper.
Newmarket, 3rd May 2025
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