Hugo Palmer Blog | Weekend Runners
13:35 Chester – Maldevious
She has a terrible draw in stall nine, but she ran very well on her second start. She is going the right way and is a nice filly. I expect the ground will dry out before the race. The draw is a pain, but she is the sort of filly who should be winning races like this.
13:50 Doncaster – Wolf Of Badenoch
He is a course and distance winner. On his next start, he stepped up massively to finish second in the Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood where he was green. I feel at home he has woken up and is a sharper horse. If he gets off to a better start here, I think he has a great chance of winning.
14:40 Chester – Zoffee & Solent Gateway
Any drying in the ground will be to Zoffee’s advantage. He likes Chester and the way they travel at this course. Not many opportunities for him around here. He looks on good terms with himself.
Solent Gateway is a doubtful runner, but we will see how much it dries out. We probably only have one more run with him before he heads to the owners and trainers’ sale.
15:10 Lingfield – Solara
She has not been helped by the draw in stall eight. I was disappointed with her on soft ground when we stepped up at Carlisle. She is better than she has shown so far but she does need to take a big step forward.
16:40 Chester – Pitney
He has not had the best season, but he was second at this course on similar ground, so that is encouraging ahead of this race. He is a bit of a thinker but there is definitely ability in him.
Sunday
16:10 The Curragh – Seagulls Eleven
We are stepping up in grade to Group One and we have the unbeaten Coolmore horse (Henri Matisse) to beat. It has been eight weeks since he ran, and he has strengthened up in that time. If his performance improves in line with his physique, there is an enormous race in him on Sunday in this National Stakes. We are all very excited to have a crack at this valuable contest for two-year-olds.
Hugo Palmer, Coral Racing Ambassador