3 minute read
Night Of Thunder steps up to a mile and a quarter for the first time in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown Park.
The 2000 Guineas hero engaged in a fascinating rematch with Newmarket runner-up Kingman at Royal Ascot, but he was clear second-best in the St James's Palace Stakes.
Connections are confident the extra distance is within his compass, with his trainer Richard Hannon telling Racing UK: "He's the sort of horse you don't really notice, and I think that's what will stand him in good stead for Saturday - the fact that he is so relaxed and he's very economical when he races. He gives himself every chance of staying a mile and a quarter."
The handler went on: " At Ascot Night Of Thunder was beaten fair and square, just beaten by a better horse on the day. I don't think you could say we were unlucky in any way. He (Kingman) is an exceptional horse, but our fellow is very good.
"Hughesie (Richard Hughes) had a job pulling him up after the line so that suggests to me he might be crying out for this mile and a quarter. My worry is that it might get a bit rough around that top bend, he's not massively experienced. We like our horse and hopefully there's more to come with this change in trip."
Kingston Hill finished a well-beaten eighth behind Night Of Thunder in the Guineas, but showed big improvement to chase home Australia in the Derby when stepped up to a mile and a half. Having missed a second clash with Australia in last weekend's Irish Derby on account of fast ground, any rain that falls at Sandown will be to his advantage as he comes back in trip.
"I'm very happy with the horse, he's in great shape. Since Epsom I've been delighted with his condition. Over a stiff 10 furlongs, the ground does become less of an issue. But what we are always afraid of if the ground is too firm is risking a horse which would jeopardise our plans later in the year, which is what we are reluctant to do," said trainer Roger Varian.
"He has a real spring in his step and I wouldn't have thought that trip will have a bearing. Possibly 10 furlongs could be his trip, but he certainly got the trip at Epsom. Sandown on a stiff track should be right up his street."
Aidan O'Brien has saddled five previous Eclipse winners in Giant's Causeway (2000), Hawk Wing (2002), Oratorio (2005), Mount Nelson (2008) and So You Think (2011). This year the Ballydoyle team are represented by American import Verrazano, who steps up in trip having finished second in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot, and War Command, who was behind Night Of Thunder at Newmarket and at Ascot.
O'Brien said: "We're very happy with War Command and Verrazano and think they are progressing well."
Another intriguing challenger for Ireland is Trading Leather, who runs in the Godolphin blue for trainer Jim Bolger. Last year's Irish Derby winner suffered an odds-on reverse on his seasonal reappearance in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket, but Bolger expects considerable improvement.
He said: "He is in good form, I'm very happy with him. He was too fresh the last day, but he's fine now. When he dropped in they pulled up in front and it was just a mess of a race from there. This will be a better-run race, so we're hoping for a better run. We'd be hoping that the ground stays good, if it doesn't we'll have a problem. It looks a race to savour."
