Night Of Thunder landed his first success since last year's Qipco 2000 Guineas with a hard-fought triumph in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

The Richard Hannon-trained four-year-old held the late thrust of his stablemate Toormore to lift the Group One prize over the straight mile in the hands of James Doyle for the colt's new owners, Godolphin.

The 11-4 joint-favourite got the verdict by a neck from Toormore and Richard Hughes, with Arod just three-quarters of a length away in third.

Doyle said: "There should be more to come as that was just the start of his campaign. He went to win his race and settled it nicely. I'm delighted with him - he has a great attitude.

"He went to the start like an old hunter and lobbed out of the stalls. It's great when they do that. It's great to put on these silks and hopefully there will be plenty more to come."

Hannon added: "I'm delighted. Toormore has run a super race and this horse (Night Of Thunder) looked to me like he was going to win very well and got tired, as he's had a long time off the track. I couldn't be more pleased.

"I think both of them will improve. Definitely, Toormore will. He was a bit heavy and doesn't do too much at home.

"Night Of Thunder shows us a bit more at home and he too will improve for it. He's nothing to prove now. He's won the Guineas and the Lockinge. He's obviously a very good horse and will make a very good stallion.

"They will probably both go to Ascot for the Queen Anne. As the year goes on the races open up in Europe. There's the Jacques le Marois, the Moulin. There are lots of lovely races and they don't have to go for the same ones."

He went on: "These horses have speed and they get a trip. Toormore might get a mile and a quarter. We tried a mile and a quarter with Night Of Thunder. Nothing is impossible at this stage and they will probably now go to Ascot and go well in the Queen Anne.

"They don't have to go for the same ones, and it would be better for me personally if they didn't. But I'm not the owner and the owners are entitled to go where they want to go.

"To get Godolphin and Sheikh Mohammed involved is the ultimate compliment and this horse has gone and done the business and we're delighted.

"James sent him on and he looked like he was going to go on and win a length, but he got a bit tired, so it says to me he will improve. Our horses generally improve over the season and I see these two as no exception."

Asked about becoming a specialist with horses at around a mile, Hannon added: "It is nothing to do with the way we train. These are the horse we get sent. I'd love to train a Derby horse - if there is anyone out there who would like to send me one - but we just don't seem to get those horses."

Ryan Moore had every chance on the heavily-backed mare Integral, but had to settle for fourth place in his attempt to ride the first five winners on the card. 

BHB