More Thunder established himself as a contender for Group 1 honours with a very smart performance in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury that resulted in his Timeform rating increasing to 120p (from 114p)
For context, a rating of 120p places More Thunder 2 lb behind Summer Mile winner Never So Brave who will represent the same owner, Saeed Suhail, in the Group 1 Sky Bet City of York Stakes on Saturday.
The only other Group 1 option at seven furlongs for More Thunder is the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp, though he's a versatile sort who holds entries at between six furlongs and a mile. As usual, however, the sprint division looks weaker. More Thunder is 5 lb behind the highest-rated sprinter in Europe, Lazzat, and 12 lb behind the top miler Field of Gold.
More Thunder's performance was the best Hungerford Stakes since Dream of Dreams - who also carried the Suhail silks - won in 2020.
Also at Newbury on Saturday, Furthur showed improved form to win the Geoffrey Freer Stakes and earn a crack at the St Leger.
The three-length win earned Furthur a Timeform rating of 115 (from 105) and places him 6 lb behind Derby winner Lambourn and 5 lb behind 5/4 favourite Scandinavia, winner of the Goodwood Cup last time. Furthur is rated 1 lb behind leading British-trained contender Lazy Griff.
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