Night Of Thunder, trained by Richard Hannon, got an impeccable ride by jockey James Doyle to win the richest ever Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes.

 

By Chris Hoover/London


Richard Hannon trained Night Of Thunder (Dubawi-Forest Storm) got an impeccable ride by jockey James Doyle which enabled the Godolphin’s  champion to land the spoils in the richest ever Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes, which featured the seven event card at the Newbury racecourse yesterday. Night Of Thunder held on gamely to win by a neck from the late rallying stablemate Tooremore, while Qatar Racing’s Arod finished a credible third.
Yuften set the pace under Frankie Dettori in the early stages with Integral racing in close proximity. Toormore and Qatar Racing’s Arod were also prominent nearer the centre of the course, while Doyle had Night Of Thunder, handy just in behind the pace.
As the race took a serious turn, Doyle and Night Of Thunder came along the rails to essay a serious challenge. Meanwhile, Arod, Toormemore and Integral also got into contention. Night Of Thunder gained the initiative with 100 metres out, while Tooremore (Richard Hughes astride) came with a strong run on the outside but could not get past the eventual winner, who was unrelenting to the pressure from his stablemate.
Trainer Hannon who had a back to back double in the Lockinge Stakes was delighted with the victory of Night Of Thunder, when he said: “I’m delighted. Toormore has run a super race and Night Of Thunder looked to me like he was going to win very well and got tired, as he’s had a long time off the track. I couldn’t be more pleased.
“I think both of them will improve. Definitely, Toormore will. He was a bit heavy and doesn’t do too much at home.”
“Night Of Thunder shows us a bit more at home and he too will improve for it. He’s nothing to prove now. He’s won the Guineas and the Lockinge. He’s obviously a very good horse and will make a very good stallion,” Hannon added.
“They will probably both go to Ascot for the Queen Anne. “As the year goes on the races open up in Europe. There’s the Jacques le Marois, the Moulin. There are lots of lovely races and they don’t have to go for the same ones.”
Jockey Doyle was pleased with the performance of Night Of Thunder, who fought hard to stave off the challenge of Toormore. “If I had my time again, I’d probably have done things differently, but I wanted to secure my pitch against that rail and he’s just had a puff on me and got a bit tired. He didn’t stop though, that’s what I liked. He got tired but he still stretched all the way. It’s the first time I’ve ridden him in a race and I’ve learnt about him today but it was a very good performance.”
Al Shaqab’s Dubday (Frankie Dettori up) put in a gallant display while finishing second in the Al Rayyan Stakes. Strongly fancied Telescope delighted connections when returning to winning ways with an emphatic victory.  Ryan Moore and Telescope stalked the early pace set by Zuhair Mohsen saddled Peter Anders in the 2,400 metres contest before cantering past his rivals as they approached the two-furlong pole. Telescope lengthened his stride and sauntered to a six-length success from Dubday, with Windshear finishing third, a further four lengths behind.
It was indeed a great performance by Dubday, considering that it was his first run in Europe. Qatar’s champion trainer Jassim al-Ghazali was thrilled with Dubday’s run. “The second finish here is as good as a victory for me. Dubday is running for the first time in Europe and to finish second in such a strong field is incredible. I am very happy for Sheikh Joaan and Al Shaqab. I am confident that Dubday will win a race in Europe very soon. He has been a great horse to train and I am excited about the future for him.”
Trainer Stoute was impressed with Telescope’s runaway victory: “He was very smooth and that was very impressive. I think he’s a super horse at the moment. I suppose we will go Hardwicke. He’s a great traveller and he’s got many options.”
“He’s a very honest, consistent horse. He has got a little bit stronger again from four to five. He had a greyhoundy-look about him even last year, so we hope we would progress him a little bit, but he doesn’t have to do too much more to win a really good pot. I would have been disappointed had he not beaten that lot today.”
Long-term, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe could be on the agenda. Harry Herbert, representing owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said: “He’s certainly got the entry in the Arc - although he’s had it for the last couple of years and not made it. It’s a great thrill and it’s great to see him back at his best again, because he’s a very tough and talented horse.”
Jockey Moore said: “They’ve gone very slow for the first seven furlongs and that’s not ideal for him. You have to take him back the whole time. He’s got such a big, long stride. It wasn’t a very deep race. He is a lot better than them. He destroyed them and he is a very good horse. Hopefully he’ll progress after this run. It was a quick turnaround for him. I’d say he’d go to Ascot now with a good chance.”
Earlier Moore came up with a peach of a ride astride Birchwood to win the Olympic Glory Conditions Stakes. The Richard Fahey saddled Birchwood maintained his unbeaten record with a one and a half length win over Beaverbrook, while Al Shaqab’s Eltezam was a close third.
Up in trip from his winning five-furlong debut at Doncaster two weeks ago, Moore sat quietly in midfield before making his move approaching the two-furlong marker, tracking the early pace set by Sixth Sense. Favourite Harvard Man faded after showing early speed.
Trainer Fahey was not surprised by the manner of victory of Birchwood. It was a brilliant victory. We have always liked him as he does that to a few of our better two-year-olds at home.”
“I was worried when I saw the opposition because it looked a warm race, but Moore liked him. He thought he would want seven furlongs, but I don’t think he will be going to Royal Ascot. I was surprised he was available at such long odds.”
Jockey Moore continued his winning form with a winning ride astride Adaay in the Toronado Carnarvon Stakes. Jungle Cat and Elysian Flyer were fast away while Waady missed the break. Settling down Elysian Flyer led down the centre of the track with Wet Sail and Jungle Cat close up.
Racing to the furlong pole Jungle Cat hit the front but was challenged by Adaay who lengthened well to win comfortably from Jungle Island and the staying on Salt Island. This success completed a hat-trick for Moore.
Moore completed his fourth win of the day, while steering Time Test to victory in the Al Zubarah London Gold Cup. The Roger Charlton trained Time Test came with a late stretch run to overhaul Dissolution and Dutch Uncle.
Over 30,000 spectators gathered at the racecourse under bright sunshine to witness the richest ever race meeting at Newbury racecourse.



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