More thought to be given to Thunder target More Thunder's Ideal Distance Still Up for Debate After Bunbury Cup Win More Thunder's dramatic victory in the Bunbury Cup has sparked discussion about the four-year-old’s optimal trip as he continues to evolve into a top-class sprinter. Previously trained by Sir Michael Stoute and now under William Haggas, More Thunder has thrived this season, narrowly missing out in the Wokingham before landing Saturday’s win under Tom Marquand. The next steps remain uncertain: “We’re all guessing about what his best trip will be,” Raymond said. “His owner told me he felt he’d have won the July Cup! I’m not so sure… I just feel seven furlongs might be his trip.” However, jockey Tom Marquand leans toward six furlongs, leaving connections with a dilemma: “You can guarantee if we run over six next and he gets beat everyone will say ‘why didn’t you run him over seven?’” With handicaps now off the table, More Thunder remains entered in key summer races, but Raymond admits: “I just don’t know where we’ll run him.” Never So Brave Impresses at Ascot But Future Plans Remain Fluid On the same day, Never So Brave — another former Stoute trainee — stepped into Group company and passed the test with authority in the Summer Mile at Ascot. Now trained by Andrew Balding, the colt responded brilliantly under David Probert, despite a mid-race threat from Jamie Spencer’s mount. “When Jamie looked like he’d slipped the field, it was an awful feeling,” said Raymond. “But I thought David was absolutely brilliant on him not to panic.” Raymond sees long-term potential: Although not entered in the Sussex Stakes, Never So Brave could go to the Lennox Stakes over seven furlongs. Raymond concluded: “It was a good weekend… now we need to start thinking about where they are going to go. The owner is a very patient man, he’s been well educated by Sir Michael.”
