William Haggas opts for Ascot instead of Haydock as Thunder Call prevails in Berkshire

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Picture: Appleasandpears by Peter Moore

By Peter Moore at Ascot Saturday 6th September 2026

Picture of Applesandpears by Peter Moore

William Haggas was at Ascot on Saturday to watch Thunder Call in action instead of making the long trip up to Haydock Park to see Almeraq, with a wise choice after seeing a really nice performance from the three-year-old under Cieren Fallon to score by two and three quarter lengths in the Class 2 Schweppes Handicap over 7f.

The colt made it three wins from five starts this season and atoned for defeat at the Shergar Cup last time with a sweeping run from the rear to beat The Fingal Raven by two and three-quarter lengths.

Pensando A Te justified favouritism and the faith trainer Marco Botti has in her after a comfortable one and three quarter length victory in the Class 2 maiden fillies stakes.

After just missing out on her debut at Yarmouth, the filly showed ample ability to clear away from Asheyra under Silvestre de Sousa.

Botti mentioned afterthe race that her next target looks likely to be the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket on September 26.

Having looked a real handful in a Listed Race at Clairefontaine recently, Turty Tree bounced back to form by landing the 1m 4f handicap by a head from Decade Of Time.

Thady Gosden rushed away from Wild West day at Kempton Park to get to see Gavriel on handicap debut score in the 1m 2f handicap.

The well bred Frankel colt was beaten only by a smart prospect at Kempton a month ago. Going up in trip and on handicap debut Rav Havlin found a nice space on the inside, with a nice turn of foot the colt drew clear to win by one and three quarter lengths.

Despite being slowly away, Applesandpears caused a surprise in the Class 2 fillies handicap over 1m at odds of 25-1.

Cheek pieces was put on the filly for the first time with the three-year-old charging home to get up on the line to deny TrueTest by a neck.

Julie Camacho completed an across the card double after Grasmere Boy scored at Thirsk with Havana Blue taking the 6f handicap by three quarters of a length under Ryan Sexton.

The acquisition of Maelstrom from the Haggas yard has looked good business after the gelding backed up his victory at Newmarket two weeks ago with a narrow neck victory on the line from Dyonisos for the Stuart Williams yard.