Bright Thunder oozes class in Deauville romp

Bright Thunder enjoyed visiting France once again, as she blazed her way to victory in the Prix Goldikova.

Karl Burke’s four-year-old was a Listed winner at Chantilly last summer and after going close on home soil at Goodwood and Epsom earlier this season, gained some valuable compensation on the continent.

It was a victory that was a welcome tonic for the Spigot Lodge team after near misses both earlier on the Deauville card with Spycatcher and in the German Derby with Contingent and there could plenty more to look forward to with the daughter of Night Of Thunder after her commanding performance in the hands of Sam James.

James told Sky Sports Racing: “She jumped really well, if not too well and I wanted to get a bit of cover.

“However, once I got behind Christophe (Soumillon on  Rubies From Burma) on the lead horse she settled away grand and I thought we were going quite slow so I was quite happy to let her find herself and keep coming.

“She doesn’t find an awful lot off the bridle but to be fair to her today she’s really quickened up and put the race to bed.

“A Group Three wouldn’t be out of the question for her and the faster they go in these races the more it suits her. She seems to like coming over here so maybe she can come over again.

“You can sometimes get racing a long way out on a straight mile, but today it all went to plan and she obviously likes coming over and Karl does as well when he brings horses over here.”