Hugo Palmer: I’m really looking forward to trying Hackman over 6f

I’ve been very happy with Master Franca of late, and he was just swishing his tail a bit on his first few starts. He’s been gelded which I think will be a big help to him as he had a slightly abnormal condition in that area and let’s just say we’d be swishing our tails and not wanting to run fast if we were in the same boat as him. Usually, the gelding operations are done stood in the box, but he went to hospital for his, but he’s come out of it absolutely perfect, and he seems much happier in himself.

He is the outsider of the field, and on all known form you’d say he’s got lots of improvement to find, but he just seems a much happier horse now and I’d say he definitely should step forward. He will need to improve 15-20lb to win this though, so that might be a big ask, but I don’t see any reason why he can’t run a good race.

4.45 York – Soldier’s Gold

He wasn’t beaten that far in the Vintage Stakes in a race where they went very slowly. It’s utterly absurd that he’s been raised 3lb for that run, and they’ve taken the view that every single horse in the race had run a career best. The winner was quite exposed on 102, and he’s beaten horses rated in the mid 90s, so I don’t really know how he’s been put up to 105, and as a result we’ve all been raised with him.

Soldier’s Gold is in really good nick at home, and Richard Kingscote rides again, so I’m sure he’ll give his running once more, but it’s going to be a tall order under top weight I’d say.

4.45 York – Balon D’or

Balon D’or is also near the top of the weights, but they are there because they are good horses and they’ve shown the best form so far. He didn’t disgrace himself at Goodwood last time on his first go at 7f, and he’s been dropped 2lb for that which will certainly help. We were quite prominent that day, so I suspect we’ll ride him with more patience here in order to make sure we stay the 7f which I think will give him a much better chance than he had at Goodwood.

Hugo

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