More Thunder improves massively with striking Hungerford win - where might he be most effective next?

Saturday's Hungerford Stakes seemed to be lacking a star performer beforehand, but that proved not to be the case after More Thunder landed the Newbury Group 2 in the style of one destined for top-level success.

Highly progressive this year in major handicaps, a Racing Post Rating of 121 is the best recorded in the race since Dream Of Dreams carried the same colours to a seven-length success in 2020. Dream Of Dreams went on to win the Haydock Sprint Cup on his next start and that would seem the obvious next step for More Thunder.

With his last two wins having come at this seven-furlong trip, More Thunder would have a bit to prove back in distance. Although successful twice over the shorter trip in the spring, he arrived late on the scene for both wins – and he was a little too late when a strong-closing second in the 6f Wokingham. If he is capable of running to this level over six furlongs, he would hold sound place claims at least for Haydock with only ante-post favourite Lazzat significantly ahead of him on ratings.