Hannon eyes Queen Anne for duo

Richard Hannon is hopeful both Night Of Thunder and Toormore can make an impression in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The trainer watched on with a smile as both horses impressed at Newbury in the Lockinge Stakes on Saturday, finishing first and second, and now they are set to line up in the Queen Anne next month.

Dubai Turf winner Solow and John Moore’s Able Friend are the two feared horses in the field for the June 16 showdown but Hannon is hopeful his two charges can make an impact in the race, although he admits Night of Thunder would ideally like softer conditions.

“Solow looked awesome when destroying a top-class field in the Dubai Turf at Meydan, while Able Friend is a superstar in Hong Kong and has shown that he is virtually unbeatable at Sha Tin,” he said on on his personal website.

“We have improved the quality of our squad these last few years, and the chance to show just how far we have come by beating the top horses from abroad is what really excites me.

“Night Of Thunder will probably have to improve to beat Solow and Able Friend at Ascot, but I think he is 7lb better on soft ground so I hope the brollies are up for the start of the Royal meeting.”

He added: “Night Of Thunder has been off a long time, and, having looked as if he was going to win a length, he got tired, and Toormore got within a neck.

“There was only half a length between the pair in last year’s QEII at Ascot, and they are both proven Group One horses.

“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, like Night Of Thunder, will come on a lot for this first race.”