Lightening Mann
Lightening Mann finished 16th of 19 in the King George V Stakes on Thursday, but you can just put a line through this run. He had a favourable draw in stall 19, but, usually a prominent racer, he dropped back in the field early on, he was second last and on the inside rail by the time they reached the first turn. By contrast, Serious Contender went forward from stall 21 and stayed wide, and Merchant settled in mid-division and wide from stall 20, and they finished second and first respectively. Lightening Mann was ridden for luck, and he got none. Still second last as they turned for home, he tried to chart his way through traffic, but he was stopped in his run twice and he could never get close to the leaders. You just have to ignore this run.
Jack Channon's horse was progressive on the run into the race. A game winner of a three-year-olds' handicap over 10 furlongs at Newmarket on Guineas weekend off a mark of 77, he went down by just a neck to Saddadd in the London Gold Cup at Newbury next time off a mark of 81. Drawn nine of nine that day, he had to do a little bit of running early on that day in order to secure the lead from his wide draw, and he led until deep inside the final furlong.
The London Gold Cup is often a classy race, and this year's renewal is looking strong already. The sixth and seventh horses home have both won since, they are now rated respectively 5lb higher and 4lb higher than they were at Newbury. And the third horse from Newbury's race, Quai De Bethune, won the Golden Gates Handicap at Ascot on Saturday off a 2lb higher mark, he is now rated 9lb higher than he was at Newbury. There could be much more to come from Lightening Mann. He is out of a mare who won over a mile and a half on the flat and over two miles over hurdles, and he is worth another go over a mile and a half. He races over 10 furlongs as if he will get further. He should be suited by the return to forward-going tactics, and for the return to a track at which those tactics are rewarded. There are 10-furlong and 12-furlong handicaps for which he is eligible at Newmarket's July meeting, and he will be of interest if he lines up in either.
Ascot, 19th June 2025
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