Hannon Anticipating Queen Anne Clash

The day after his stable luminaries Night Of Thunder (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Toormore (Ire) (Arakan) finished 1-2 on seasonal debut in the G1 Lockinge S., trainer Richard Hannon was looking ahead to the June 16 G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot with the pair. Hannon reflected on some of the competition expected for that one-mile affair Sunday, including overseas raiders Solow (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) and Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal). 

“Solow looked awesome when destroying a top-class field in the [G1] Dubai Turf at Meydan [Mar. 28], while Able Friend is a superstar in Hong Kong and has shown that he is virtually unbeatable at Sha Tin,” Hannon noted. “Night Of Thunder will probably have to improve to beat Solow and Able Friend at Ascot, but I think he is seven pounds better on soft ground so I hope the brollies are up for the start of the Royal meeting.” 

Hannon reiterated that both Night Of Thunder and Toormore will be set for Europe’s top mile contests this year. 

“There was only a half-length between the pair in last year’s QEII at Ascot [when second and third], and they are both proven Group 1 horses,” the conditioner said. “Ideally, I would like to keep them apart, but they will both be considered for races like the Sussex S., the Prix Jacques le Marois and the Prix Moulin.” 

Hannon added, “Night of Thunder is the only horse to have taken the scalp of Kingman, and in my eyes he beat him fair and square in last year’s 2000 Guineas. He is such a straightforward horse, so uncomplicated and a real gentleman, while Toormore, who, like Night Of Thunder, will come on a lot for this first race.”