Hollie Doyle blog: More Thunder looks strong in Ascot’s Summer Mile

Saturday’s standout: Summer Mile at Ascot stakes More Thunder’s claim

The Group Two Juddmonte Summer Mile Stakes at Ascot is the weekend’s most appetising mid-distance contest, and More Thunder has every chance to turn strong looks into a first Group victory. Karl Burke’s five-year-old arrives with two top-level seconds this season—Lockinge at Newbury and the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot—so a mile on the rounder Ascot track, where he is well drawn in stall one, should suit his run style. Cieren Fallon takes the ride after Tom Marquand heads to Newmarket, and the Queen Anne form with Zeus Olympios is confirmed. The opposition is led by French raider No Lunch, who stretched his winning streak to six in a Group Two at Saint-Cloud, with the re-opposing runner-up Seagulls Eleven also fresh after a Group Three success at Epsom. Hugo Palmer’s colt deserves his chance, but No Lunch carries the momentum.

Newmarket’s July Cup: Almeraq eyes Group One double for Haggas

William Haggas’s Almeraq is bidding to complete a stunning Group One double in the Dubai July Cup at Newmarket’s July Course. Tom Marquand will partner the colt, fresh from his Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes heroics at Royal Ascot three weeks ago, and the team at Somerville Lodge remain confident despite the undulating track and potentially quicker ground. Division, Haggas’s other runner, could spring a surprise for Wathnan Racing and James Doyle; he has a habit of missing breaks then making late ground, so a clean getaway would unlock his potential.

York’s John Smith’s Cup: late dash or late drama?

York’s John Smith’s Cup completes a Super Saturday across four fixtures, offering another chance for a late-market decision. While the Summer Mile and July Cup dominate the headlines, the Yorkshire track’s feature race remains a key pointer for trainers targeting autumn targets. The field’s spread and ground conditions will shape the closing stages, with jockeys likely to balance aggression against patience in a race where position at the final furlong often decides the outcome.

Tactical angles: ground, draw and late speed

At Ascot, the quicker ground could favour front-running styles, but No Lunch’s recent Group Two win at Saint-Cloud suggests he can rate well on any surface. More Thunder’s stall one draw and Fallon’s patient approach may allow the colt to settle behind the pace before unleashing a late burst, especially if the tempo stays steady. At Newmarket, Almeraq’s ability to handle the undulations will be tested; if the ground firms, his finishing kick may be blunted, while Division’s late run style thrives when the pace is steady rather than relentless. York’s race hinges on whether the ground stays soft enough to reward stamina or dries out to benefit those with late acceleration.

Why this weekend matters

More Thunder’s chance in the Summer Mile is more than a single race—it’s a chance to cement his status among the season’s most consistent milers. A Group victory would erase memories of those narrow defeats and mark a clear upward trajectory. At Newmarket, Almeraq’s pursuit of a July Cup double tests Haggas’s ability to manage form and fitness across elite sprints. Meanwhile, York’s John Smith’s Cup remains a crucial stepping stone for horses targeting end-of-season targets, where a strong finish can reshape handicap ratings and owner expectations. Saturday delivers the depth and drama that defines a true Super Saturday.