Dods Mulling Royal Ascot Lightning Strike

Michael Dods' impressive William Hill Lincoln Handicap winner Sweet Lightning could step up onto an even bigger stage in couple of month's time as the north-eastern handler is eyeing a crack at the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot in mid-June with his progressive six-year-old, writes Elliot Slater.

Unraced as a juvenile, the gelded son of Fantastic Light showed himself to have plenty of ability as a three-year-old, but like so many of his sire's progeny seems to be getting better with age. Last term he began by winning a competitive handicap at Chester's May meeting before failing by only a length to follow up in Redcar's Zetland Gold Cup, going under to Luca Cumani's useful Forte Dei Marmi, both races being over 10 furlongs. The Royal Ascot odds suggest he could make a real impact in the Royal Hunt Cup.

Stepped up to a mile-and-a-half, Sweet Lightning ran a fine race to be fifth in the Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap at last year's royal meeting, before going on to score at York's Ebor fixture (back over 10 furlongs) off a mark of 96.
Dods and the gelding's owner Andrew Tinkler than sent their horse out to Dubai where he ran well on all four starts, his best effort coming when chasing home the very useful Golden Sword in February.

Dods had long wondered if a strongly run mile might bring about further improvement in Sweet Lightning and felt the Lincoln Handicap would test out his theory. Always travelling well in behind a solid gallop, Johnny Murtagh made his move from the rear of the field at the two furlong from home marker before producing his mount to lead at the furlong pole. Showing a ready change of pace the northern gelding stormed away from Brae Hill to prove an impressive winner.

Having seen the Doncaster performance Dods and Tinkler are now seriously contemplating the Royal Hunt Cup, a race that should provide the strong gallop and plenty of cover that Sweet Lightning needs to show his very best form.