WILTSHIRE trainer Richard Hannon jnr, in his first season with a licence, won a Classic at the first time of asking when Night Of Thunder pulled off a 40-1 shock victory in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday.

Hannon took over from his champion trainer father, also Richard, at the beginning of the year.

Night of Thunder, one of three Hannon runners in the race – Shifting Power finished fourth and Toormore seventh – won by half a length from the favourite Kingman with Australia in third.

Winning jockey Kieren Fallon was claiming his first British Classic since Alexandrova's 2006 Oaks victory.

"It's the stuff of dreams," said an emotional Hannon. "I thought he'd run very well and we were a bit disappointed after Newbury. But all our horses generally need a trial and it's a tribute to him that he has come back and turned the form around with Kingman.

"I can't say winning the Guineas was in the air, and we wouldn't have been too worried if it didn't happen. But it makes a big difference to everyone at home and it's nice to have a 2000 Guineas winner.

"We'll have to talk to Bruce Raymond (racing manager for Night Of Thunder's owner Saeed Manana) but I'd imagine it will be either the Irish Guineas or the St James's Palace at Royal Ascot."