Hugo Palmer Friday Blog | Epsom Oaks Day

04 Jun 2026

Coral Racing Ambassador, Hugo Palmer, sends four horses to Epsom on Oaks Day, including Seagulls Eleven in the Group 3 Diomed Stakes. Check out his thoughts on each of those runners in his latest exclusive preview.

14:05 Epsom – Wild Terrain

This will be Wild Terrain's second start. He’s bred to handle a bit of give in the ground and I think he will, so the rainfall this week shouldn’t be an issue. We’ve liked all of his homework but even so, he did impress us when winning on his debut at Hamilton last month.

It’s a bigger field here than I was anticipating, with 14 declared, but he is a nice horse and if he can handle the track and the occasion, I think he can run really well.

14:40 Epsom – Seagulls Eleven

I’m delighted with the draw [stall 8] as it will give Oisin [Murphy] options. Seagulls Eleven has come out of his win in France last time really well, obviously that was only 12 days ago so it is a quick turnaround but we’re very happy with him.

We know he’s a very well-balanced horse, he handled Longchamp well last time and he’s won at Goodwood, so we know he’ll go well on a downhill track like Epsom and we also know he handles cut in the ground. He’s right in the mix on ratings and I’m also looking forward to seeing him step up in trip slightly here, so he’s an exciting runner.

17:15 Epsom – Ardisia

Ardisia has found the ground a little bit quick on his last couple of starts, so we’re looking forward to him getting his toe in again here. Running over seven furlongs here should suit him, he’s never won over the distance but he runs as if it will suit. With ground and trip in his favour, I’m hopeful of him running really well.

17:50 Epsom – Sunny Smile

Sunny Smile just got into this field off a very light weight, and we’ve got an in-form jockey in Saffie Osborne booked. He’s a strong, well-balanced horse who likes give in the ground. This is the first real opportunity we’ve had since he’s been ready to run, so we’ll see how he gets on on his seasonal return.

Hugo Palmer, Coral Racing Ambassador

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