More Thunder is reported to be ‘spot on’ ahead of bidding to secure a breakthrough Group One triumph in the Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.
The William Haggas-trained five-year-old continued his build up towards the mile test at Deauville on Sunday week with a spin on Newmarket’s July Course on Saturday morning.
Working around seven furlongs under now retired Classic-winning rider Ted Durcan, the son Night Of Thunder strode out well much to the delight of his owner Saeed Suhail’s racing manager Philip Robinson, who was on hand to watch the exercise.
Robinson said: “I was very pleased with More Thunder. It was nice to get him on the grass as he is not a horse that does a lot at home.
“Ted Durcan knew he needed to do a bit this morning and he stretched out nicely past us. That should put him spot on for Deauville.
“This race is the target that William has had for him since the Summer Mile as he felt that the Sussex Stakes wasn't the right race for the horse.”
Having found only Ten Bob Tony too strong in the Group One Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot things then conspired against More Thunder back at the Berkshire track in last month’s Group Two Juddmonte Summer Mile.
However, Robinson believes that More Thunder can leave that run behind and show his true colours.
He added: “I think we can put a line through the Summer Mile as it was a mess of a race. There was no pace on in the whole of the race which didn’t help him.
"On the round course at Ascot you can get boxed away and when he did get out the race had gone by then.
“He is an exceptionally good horse and his run at Royal Ascot puts him bang in contention.
“There is a Group One waiting out there for him with his name on it. Hopefully it can be at Deauville on Sunday.”
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Also in early morning action on the July Course was More Thunder’s globetrotting stablemate Dubai Honour.
The evergreen eight-year-old was stepping up his preparations ahead of an outing in the Group Three Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury next Saturday.
And although the Pride Of Dubai gelding has not been sighted since finishing fourth in the Grade One Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Randwick in April, Robinson believes he still has more to offer, despite being in the twilight of his career.
He added: “The plan is to go to the Geoffrey Freer with Dubai Honour. We just gave him a little bit of a holiday as he is not getting any younger.
"He has come back bouncing and Michael Hills was very pleased with him today.
“It is probably the best I’ve seen him for a while. I dare say an international campaign could be on the agenda again, but he is getting towards the end of his career now and we have to be a bit more picky in what we do.
“Looking at him today you would not know he is eight. I don’t think he has finished winning just yet.”
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