Thundering Blue back down in trip as trainer David Menusier confident ahead of John Smith’s Cup bid at York on Saturday
The five-year-old has shot up the ratings but is back at a track he loves
IT'S all systems go for Thundering Blue ahead of Saturday's John Smith's Cup as he returns to York, a track he enjoys more than most.
David Menusier is dropping his grey in trip after a failed experiment at Royal Ascot.
At York he'll be back at 10f after he struggled to factor in the mile-and-a-half Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Ascot.
Menuisier believes there were several reasons for his disappointing display, but is pleased to be returning to a course and distance with which Thundering Blue is familiar.
He said: "He has won four races over this distance and always looks like he'll go further. That's why it was interesting to step him up in trip for Ascot to try to find some improvement.
"But there were quite a few circumstances that day that made him run as he did, really.
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"He was drawn very wide, which doesn't really suit the way the horse has to be ridden. He was just shuffled back too far.
"And the ground was too quick for him, I thought. The ground dried out dramatically throughout the day as it was quite warm and windy.
"Also, the track possibly didn't suit him perfectly well.
"I still don't know whether he stays a mile and four. But I am more than happy to go back to a mile and a quarter because he is proven over it.
"He is a winner over course (York) and distance, so obviously we know that there won't be any surprise there."
The rapidly progressive Dash Of Spice is the one to beat at York and he heads the betting at 6-1.
Thundering Blue can be backed at 10-1, with Afaak and Zaaki at 11s.
Appeared and Kynren are 14-1 with Brorocco and Emirates Flyer at 16-1.