Hugo Palmer: I’m really looking forward to seeing him run

Top trainer and Coral ambassador Hugo Palmer discusses his runners at Goodwood and Newcastle on Thursday and gives us his thoughts on the Nassau Stakes.

4.10 Goodwood – Balon D’or

I do have a bit of a question mark in my mind about Balon D’or on the soft ground, but he did run well in the Lily Agnes on soft earlier this year, and we did think he’d win that day if the ground hadn’t been as bad as it was. Having said that, he is a very strong horse, so I think he’s equipped to cope with it, and it’s definitely worth giving him another go on it.

He looked flat out all the way at Newbury last time, so perhaps this step up in trip will be what he needs. He hasn’t been done any favours by the draw being in stall 10, but there isn’t a lot we can do about that sadly. Goodwood is a very difficult place to win a race like this as everything has to go right, but I think he goes there with a live chance, and Harry Davies taking off a valuable 3lb certainly helps.

4.10 Goodwood – Phone Tag

We run Phone Tag in the same race as Balon D’or, and I must say I’m really excited about Phone Tag. He’s disappointed us on his first three starts, which is why he’s been gelded and why he’s wearing blinkers, but I know the ability is there, I just feel he’s been holding a bit back in his races so far. Being out of Havana Grey, I think it’s a confidence thing as they usually try very hard for you, and even though he’s swished his tail a bit at home and during his races, he hasn’t done that recently which is encouraging.

Even though he hasn’t been tried on soft ground yet, I do think he’ll handle it, and he did an excellent piece of work the other day. He’s fared a bit better with the draw than our other runner getting stall seven, so I think there’s plenty to like about him, and I’m really looking forward to seeing him run.