Night Of Thunder primed for Lockinge

Richard Hannon believes Night Of Thunder will not lack for fitness when he makes his seasonal bow in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury today.

The Group One race has attracted a big field of 18 runners and Hannon saddles two prime candidates, with last season's 2000 Guineas winner joined by 2013 champion juvenile Toormore, who is also having his first run of the campaign.

"In the end we decided against giving Night Of Thunder a racecourse gallop, we worked him at home and he really impressed us," said the trainer

"He should be fit enough to win, although he will improve for the run to a point and we hope he will keep improving through the season.

"He's a Classic winner - he deserves the utmost respect for that - and he would be right up there with all the star milers we have had over recent years.

"Toormore will also improve for the run. He is less of a flashy worker than Night Of Thunder and though he won first time out last season, that was only a Group Three, so this is a much stronger race.

"He came back to form on his final run of last season and if he were to repeat that, he would go very close. I hope we have got him back to near his best again now."

Marco Botti's Moohaarib looked a much improved performer when winning a Listed race at Ascot, having finished third in the Lincoln on his return.

"Moohaarib seems well after the race. He did an easy piece of work at the weekend which we were happy with and he seems in good order. This is a big step up in class, but we have come to that stage where we find out how good he is," said Botti.

"He was very impressive at Ascot and quickened up well, having travelled well, but he is taking on a different class of opposition, so we will see what he has got to offer and whether he can take the next step up.

"His two runs have been positive this year and he lost nothing in defeat in the Lincoln. I don't think he had a hard race at Ascot. This is different company, but we very much hope for a good run."

James Fanshawe said of his lively outsider Hors De Combat: "The Lockinge looks a tough race, but there are no other options for him at the moment. He is in good form and seems to have come on for the run at Ascot."

David Simcock runs both Breton Rock and Trade Storm and said: "It looks a very open race and that is why a lot of horses are taking their chances in it.

"It is a case of the more rain the better for Breton Rock, while Trade Storm will not run if there is soft in the description."