Hugo Palmer Friday runners blog: 'He's won at Goodwood so we know he'll handle Epsom'

Epsom 2.05 – Wild Terrain

This will be his 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.

Epsom 2.40 – Seagulls Eleven

I’m delighted with the draw [stall 8] as it will give Oisin [Murphy] options.  He’s 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.

Epsom 5.15 – 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.

Epsom 5.50 – 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, so 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.

Bath 6.40 – The Flying Seagull

Away from Epsom, we have three runners in the evening.  The Flying Seagull won’t run if it got too soft but we’ve declared on good ground so we’ll see. This intermediate 5 ½ furlongs trip and the slight bend in the track should suit him, we have put the headgear back on as I think he missed it last time, but he hasn’t won as many races in his career as he should have done.

Bath 8.25 – Emerald Coast

Emerald Coast is running off her lowest mark so far.  She looks like a 1 ¼ mile filly, and her best run last year was her first run of the season, so hopefully she goes well fresh.  Good ground will suit, off this current mark I hope she can go OK.

Doncaster 8.40 – Turtle Reef

Turtle Reef is having his first run in a handicap.  I think he wants this ten furlongs trip as he’s not very quick, although he thinks he is! It’s his first run of the season but he’s fit and ready to run, so we’ll see how he goes.

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