Penworthy
MORE THUNDER was one of last season’s most improved flat horses, starting off as a moderate handicapper officially rated at 87 and finishing up, after four victories, with a lofty rating of 117.
At Newbury tomorrow, he steps up in distance to a mile for the first time when he is pitched into tough Grade 1 company in the Boyle Sports Lockinge Stakes (2.35 p.m.). Five of the ten runners in the contest have higher ratings than him and several of those at the top of the market also have the benefit of a prep run.
The top three horses in the market, Damysus, Zeus Olympios and Notable Speech, all have a good chance of landing the first prize of more than £226,000
I am pretty sure that More Thunder, who is in the capable hands of trainer William Haggas, is up to winning a Grade 1 but it is asking a lot of him to do it first time out in this company. However, at the prices I am prepared to take a chance on his fitness and put him up 1 point each way at 10-1 with William Hill, paying a quarter odds three places. Those odds of 10-1 are widely available elsewhere too, paying less well for a place.
