UNLUCKY Wokingham runner-up More Thunder could be supplemented for the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket while impressive Royal Ascot victor Merchant may well head to Glorious Goodwood.
That’s the latest news from William Haggas as he shuffles plans for some of his stable stars, although options remain on hold for Economics as he continues to recover from injury.
William Haggas said hugely impressive Royal Ascot winner Merchant could end up in the St Leger at the end of the season[/caption]
More Thunder has been an absolute revelation for Haggas, having been trained last term by the now retired Sir Michael Stoute.
Just a year ago this month, More Thunder was beaten at Chester over an extended 1m2f.
A year on, however, the son of Night of Thunder, owned by Saeed Suhail, has raced solely over 6f, scoring at Newmarket twice before coming from last to second – beaten a head – behind Get It in the Wokingham.
He would have won in another stride or two.
Haggas told me: “More Thunder could go to Ireland on the 20th for a Group 2 over 7f or he could be supplemented for the July Cup.
“We will look at the Group 1 over 7f at York as well.
“He was a bit far back and got tangled up in the Wokingham but ran very well.”
Merchant got a huge form boost over the weekend when Serious Contender, the horse he beat in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot, chased home Lambourn in the Irish Derby.
Rated just 90 at Ascot, Merchant will now head into Group races.
“The Gordon Stakes looks the most likely target for Merchant,” Haggas said.
“It’s possible he’s a St Leger horse. But all options are open.
“He could still be a King George contender, and what I can say is he won’t come out of that race at the next forfeit. So we will see.”
Last season’s monster Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes victor Economics missed Royal Ascot through injury and has been absent since October of last year when defeated in the Qipco Champion Stakes.
Economics is going nowhere for the time being.
Haggas said: “As everyone knows he got an injury from which he is recovering but not quickly enough for us.
“We are missing big events like Royal Ascot and the Eclipse.
“I doubt he will be ready for the Irish Champion so we will be looking at later in the season.”
On a brighter note, Godwinson might be upped in class for the Group 3 Prix Messidor.
Haggas said: “He went up 5lb for winning the Lincoln which was a good prize and another 5lb for winning at Newcastle the other day which was much less money which is not ideal.
“But what can you do? I needed to run him and the going on the grass is too firm for him. He might well go to France.”
In other stable news, Haggas remains bullish about the talent of Lake Forest despite the colt beating only two home in the Criterion at York over the weekend.
Lake Forest had been brilliant in Australia back in November, taking the Golden Eagle at Rosehill in terrific fashion from Lazzat, himself a star at Royal Ascot.
“We ran Lake Forest too quick,” said Haggas.
“It was also not a track to come from behind from. It looked like there would be plenty of pace, but the other front runners left Quinault alone – although he did very well – which wasn’t good for us.
!Lake Forest could go for the Lennox at Glorious Goodwood or the Sussex.
!He could easily run second or third in a Sussex. He’s a good horse. He’s got a lot of ability.
!Remember the race he ran at Newmarket as a juvenile in a novice was awful (got beat at 1-3f). Then he came out and won the Gimcrack!”
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