Hugo Palmer: He’s a Group One horse in a handicap here
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Trainer and Coral ambassador Hugo Palmer discusses the chances of his Saturday runners at Royal Ascot, Ayr and Haydock.
Flaming Rib is a Group One horse in a handicap here, so he does have to carry top weight, but that’s because he’s the best horse in the race.
One of his best career runs was when he was second over this course and distance in the Commonwealth Cup last year, so we know he likes it at Ascot. He ran to a mark of about 114 that day, and he runs off 110 here, so with Pierre-Louis Jamin claiming a valuable 3lb, you could argue mathematically he has a good few pounds in hand.
I think he’s got a good chance, but as I said yesterday about the Sandringham, these races are the hardest on the planet to win. I certainly think we go there with a lively chance.
Absolutely thrilled.
Flaming Rib wins The Dukhan Sprint in Qatar on his seasonal debut.
So proud of my team @MHS_HorseRacing
Congratulations @hpalmerracing @oismurphy and every one of our dedicated staff #TeamMHS @nafuk pic.twitter.com/pf7WdpusjG— Michael Owen (@themichaelowen) February 18, 2023
Golden Trick is a lovely colt out of Galileo Gold. He’s a typical Galileo Gold in that he really loves his work and is really enthusiastic whenever we’ve worked him at home. He probably wouldn’t want the ground too fast, which is why we’re taking him to Ayr as they’ve had a bit of rain up there, and I’m looking forward to getting him started.
Ours don’t often win first time out, but it wouldn’t be a huge shock if he made a winning start, but whatever happens he’ll definitely win races.
We’re stepping up to 1m 5f with Nolton Cross which is the sort of trip we’ve always felt he wanted. He needs to prove he can go as well on turf as he does on the all-weather, but it’s a £40,000 pot, and while it was disappointing he didn’t get in at Ascot, this is a good consolation, so fingers crossed he can run a big race.
I really don’t know how Chronograph is still a maiden if I’m honest. It’s so frustrating that he’s yet to win as he’s ran some really nice races in defeat. Hopefully, he can get a lead here as we really didn’t want to lead at Chester last time, but we ended up having to make the running there, and he just got nabbed on the line which was a real blow.
It doesn’t look the strongest race in the world, so unless Keith Dalgleish’s newcomer can put up a big performance on his racecourse debut, then I’d be extremely hopeful we can finally get off the mark with Chronograph here.
He’s a funny horse Ausdaisia, as we always thought he’d run well last year, but he ran poorly on all three occasions. He is a late foal so he’s only just three, so maybe he’s needed a bit more time to mature and strengthen up than we first thought.
He’s bred to stay, so the step up in trip should help him and he’s drawn well in stall one, so hopefully he can get himself into a good position and run a nice race.
How Impressive just found the ground too quick at Wetherby last time, so the bit of rain they’ve had at Haydock is a positive for him. He’s run some good races in defeat, but he’s been difficult to win with, but he’s on a nice mark and conditions should be perfect for him, so I’m hopeful he’ll go close.
It’s always annoying to run horses against each other, but if they were in different yards they’d both be running, and they have different owners so both horses will take their chance.
Roudemental is another horse who’s been difficult to win with, but he’s another who I think conditions will be perfect for. He’s probably a better horse on the all-weather, but if you can get good ground and a flat track for him, which Haydock is, then there’s no reason why he can’t go well.
Hugo
