Hugo Palmer Friday runners blog: 'We felt he won with plenty in hand on debut'

Coral ambassador Hugo Palmer previews his two runners at Ascot on Friday, May 1, 2026 in his latest exclusive blog.

Hugo Palmer Friday runners schedule

• Adaay Of Scarlett - Ascot - 2.00 race odds

• Ardisia - Ascot - 3.10 race odds

Ascot 2.00 – Adaay Of Scarlett

Adaay Of Scarlett won on debut at Newmarket as we expected him to, and he’s done very well since.  Although there are only four runners here, he’s probably taking a step up in grade, and it will be interesting to see how his form compares to the Brocklesby form, with the winner of that race, A Bear Affair, in opposition.

Our horse and the Doncaster winner have to carry a penalty for their respective wins, but it’s only three pounds, so in theory about a length, and we felt we won with plenty in hand at Newmarket, Oisin [Murphy] didn’t have to pick his stick up that day, so it will be interesting to see what he finds for extra pressure if he does get into a battle here.

As I say, I think he’s done well since his debut, we trained him quite hard for that race as it was important he won that day, but we’ve allowed him to come to himself since then.  Martin Dwyer [pundit] was quite rude about him on TV at Newmarket, saying he looked like a filly!  Dare I say he’s looking a lot more manly now, and I hope that will be born out in his performance.

Ascot 3.10 – Ardisia

Having run over seven furlongs in the Greenham Stakes, we’re dropping Ardisia back to the six furlongs we know works for him.  I was glad to get that Newbury run into him, it didn’t go to plan that day but I wouldn’t rule out a return to seven at some stage.  He ran well for a long way that day, and I think he possibly just needed that run.

We haven’t done a vast amount with him in the 13 days since, this race was always the target, and originally was going to be his first run back, but I just thought the Greenham was a race he could have picked prize money up in.

This is billed as the Commonwealth Cup Trial, but as a gelding he can’t run in the main event, but he’s run well at Ascot before, and we know he likes this trip.