Hugo Palmer blog: ‘He has more experience of going to a racecourse than any debutant I’ve entered’

At one stage I had about eight horses written down for this race, so to get away with only running three is a bit of a result. Grey Cuban would have to be our best chance because he’s the highest rated of them, he has the best draw, and I think he’s the horse that brings the most potential to the race.

The way he went around Wolverhampton last time really impressed me, and he’s such a nice horse, you can put him anywhere in the race, and he really tries hard for you.

I expect the favourite of Sir Michael Stoute’s to be difficult to beat taking into account his narrow defeat to Vandeek last year, but if we do have one in the race that can beat him, then I suspect it will be Grey Cuban.

Grey Cuban odds: 9/2

Gunfighter should love the quick ground at Chester this week, and although his best form has come on the all-weather, the only time he really disappointed us on turf was on soft ground at Windsor. We’ve kept him busy through the winter, so he shouldn’t be lacking for fitness, and he’s really pleased us at home lately, so it wouldn’t be a big surprise if he showed up well.

He is drawn widest of all, but Richard Kingscote rides him, and his strength is getting into a good position around Chester, so hopefully he can get competitive.

Gunfighter odds: 16/1 

He ran really well at Chester on his first start for us, and he just didn’t stay at Newbury the other day. He’s got a lovely draw in stall 2, but he’s going to have to run right up to his best if he’s going to win this.

He is capable of putting that sort of performance in, and it’s interesting that the Racing Post ratings have his best run down as when he ran at Chester last year, but he will have to improve on that again I suspect in a race of this quality.

He’s a lovely horse, and I hope he can handle the ground as it’s a little bit quicker than what he’s accustomed to, but he’s in excellent form at home, so I hope he can do himself justice.

L'Astronome odds: 20/1

It’s Not Risky runs in the last race on the card for us, and he arrives here in very good form after two wins and a good third on the all-weather back in January. Even though he ran well the last time, it was probably just a race too many for him in that short window, so we’ve just freshened him up before this.

That was his first go at a mile and a half too, but I don’t think he got beat because he didn’t stay, it was probably as I said just one race too many.

I think he’ll relish the trip here, he’s grown a bit over the last few months, and he’s in really good order at home, so hopefully he can return to winning ways at a track he has ran well at before.

It's Not Risky odds

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