Thunda Struck

The recent form tells the story of a young horse still learning. In its last five races, Thunda Struck has finished fourth, third, fifth, fifth, and second. There's been a bit of a dip in the middle there, but that quick rebound to second last time out is the kind of thing that can happen with inexperienced horses — they have days when things don't click, then bounce back. Trainer David Loughnane, who runs Stoke Heath in Shropshire, has had a strong season with 39 winners already, so the horse is in a yard that knows how to develop talent. At this early stage of the horse's career, consistency and incremental improvement matter far more than instant success. Thunda Struck is still learning what racing is about, and the placings suggest it belongs in competitive company. Time will tell whether it can convert those near-misses into a breakthrough win.