Thunder Call (13:40 Ascot — Schweppes Handicap, Class 2, 7f)
A three-year-old chestnut colt by Pinatubo, trained by William Haggas — in solid form at 18% over the last 14 days — and partnered by Cieren Fallon, who has a 100% record on him from their one previous ride together. Thunder Call has been progressive all season, winning at Kempton in May and then landing a valuable Class 2 handicap at York in June by half a length at 4/1. He followed that with a solid second at Ascot last month over 6f, beaten 1½ lengths by Red Spells Danger, but the ATR expert view is clear — he has been crying out for this step up to 7f throughout his recent form, where each run has suggested he’s a miler in the making.
Today he gets the chance to prove it in a field reduced to 8 runners after two non-runners. Haggas doesn’t step horses up in trip without reason, and with the Ayr Gold Cup and British Champions Sprint already pencilled in as future targets, this colt is on the upgrade.
Verdict: Back to win — the 7f trip the key to unlocking his best, Haggas in form, Fallon retains, and the quality form at York says he can go in again. 🏇
