Marvellous effort by Thunder - and now for Hydrogen

Runner-up at Newmarket in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas, Lightning Thunder again found one filly too good, on this occasion the Ryan Moore-ridden Marvellous, who is trained by Aidan O'Brien.

Marvellous cut Lightning Thunder down in the final furlong and pulled clear to win by three lengths, but the runner-up, who carried the colours of Mohammed Al Kubasi and Pearl Bloodstock, was four and a quarter lengths ahead of third-placed Vote Often. Next month's Gr.1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot gives the Olly Stevens-trained Lightning Thunder another chance of top-grade glory, and a faster surface will do her chances no harm.

In another busy week for horses that race under the Pearl Bloodstock and Qatar Racing banners, a maiden contest at Newmarket on Friday promises to be one of the most interesting, for it is expected to be the event in which Hydrogen makes his racecourse debut.
Hydrogen, who was bought as a yearling at Tattersalls

A three-parts brother to Derby winner and sire Authorized, Hydrogen was bought by David Redvers Bloodstock on behalf of Sheikh Fahad for 2,500,000gns at Book One of Tattersalls' October Yearling Sale in 2012. Sent into training with Newmarket-based Peter Chapple-Hyam, the colt was not hurried as a two-year-old, and his public appearances were limited to gallops on the Heath.

A son of Galileo, he now seems certain to line up in the Lloyds Bank Commercial Maiden Stakes (3.05) over a mile and a half, and for which 27 horses have been entered. The race will be screened live on Racing UK.