Hugo Palmer Friday runners blog - September 11, 2026

Doncaster 2.25 – Sale Shark

I’ve been very happy with this horse since he won at York, he looks fantastic and I think he’s improved again.  He will need to improve, as this is a stronger race, and we are drawn a little bit out on the wing in stall one, but I’m very happy with how he is, this has been the plan since York and we’re looking forward to it.

Doncaster 4.45 – Wait Geordie

Wait Geordie seems on good terms with himself, although he hasn’t really grown and developed since winning early on this season, which is a shame, although we don’t have a crystal ball to see how they are going to change!  This is a competitive race, so we’ll hope for the best.

Doncaster 5.20 – Fans Favourite

Fans Favourite has had an incredible season to win three times when the ground has been so quick, he loves to get his toe in and this has been such a dry summer, he really has been a revelation to do what he’s done. Any extra rain would suit him obviously, but I’m sure the ground will be fine for him.

Life is getting harder for him as he creeps up in the handicap, he’s been well-ridden this season by apprentices, but we do have the champion jockey [Oisin Murphy] taking over here, so that will help with the rise in the weights.  He looks fantastic, is in great form, so fingers-crossed.

Away from Doncaster

Away from Doncaster, we have a busy day at our local course, Chester, starting with Condotti in the 2.47. He’s drawn in 11, which is a terrible draw but he’ll like the ground.

We run two in the 3.17. Roman Dragon & Tricky Tel are also both drawn high, in 9 and 10, but on soft ground, if you are drawn low here, you do have to commit, and that can lead to a pace collapse up front, so there is some hope for the higher drawn runners.  Both love it here, and both look great.

We also run two in the 3.53. Ran Amok is drawn well in stall 3, and I thought he ran well at Haydock last weekend, albeit that was on very soft ground so may have taken something out of him. A repeat of that run, or a step forward from it, could see him get competitive here.

King Of Thunder is drawn in 10, and similar comments apply, he ran well at Haydock last week and could step forward, but his draw is trickier.

Kindest Nation runs in the 4.28, stall 10 won’t help, but more importantly, I think she’s losing interest in the game. I’ve taken the headgear off her here, to see if a change of view helps with a change of performance, but I do worry she’s not in love with it anymore.

Finally, we also have a runner at Sandown, Mr Seagull in the 5.32. He seems in really good form and was unlucky not to win at Pontefract last time. This is an apprentice race, so Toby Moore will need to get everything right, but if he does, and things go well, I think he’s definitely handicapped to win.

View the latest horse racing odds and specials.

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.