Coral Racing Ambassador, Hugo Palmer, previews his three runners across the cards at Newmarket and Southwell on Wednesday, including Fitzella in the Group 3 Nell Gwyn Stakes. 

15:35 Newmarket – Fitzella

Fitzella returns having run a cracking race in the Princess Margaret Stakes last season and she’s done very well over the winter. There are two key questions we need to answer with her now. Firstly, is whether or not she's good enough to step up from being a solid Group performer. She’s been placed at Group 2 level and won at Group 3 level. Secondly, there’s the question of the trip.

We felt she stayed seven furlongs well when she tried it previously, but stepping up again and potentially stretching to a mile is a different test altogether. This run will help guide us.

She’s in great nick, and we’re very happy with her at home. This is very much a trial to see whether she can progress and whether she might develop into a Guineas-type filly. If she shows she doesn’t quite get that trip or level, there are plenty of alternative targets. Something like the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot could come into play, but for now the dream is still alive and these trials are what it’s all about.

16:10 Newmarket – Jazz Queen

Jazz Queen makes her debut here and she’s a sharp, forward filly who has done plenty of work. She should enjoy the quicker ground and we’re pleased with where she is heading into this. Naturally, she’s got a long way to go to reach the level of Fitzella at this stage, but she’s by the same stallion, so there are reasons to be hopeful.

This is very much a starting point for her. She should win races in time but we’ll learn plenty more about her here.

19:00 Southwell – Penny Time

Penny Time heads to Southwell having got off the mark there last month. We did consider other options, including potentially running in a higher-grade race, but in the end we felt that if we were even thinking about Listed or Group company, then we shouldn’t be afraid of taking our chance in a novice under a penalty.

Winning under a penalty is never easy, and we do have to give weight away to some unexposed rivals, but we’ve been very happy with him in recent weeks. He’s got a good draw and everything has gone smoothly in the build-up.

There are a couple of interesting types in opposition, but at this stage it’s difficult to line up form accurately as many are still learning their trade. That said, we’re hopeful he can run another big race.

Hugo Palmer, Coral Racing Ambassador