Hugo Palmer Saturday runners blog: 'The encouraging thing is, I genuinely believe he's better than ever'

1.40 Newmarket – Velociraptor

Velociraptor makes his debut and it's probably a fairly deep race to start him off in. He's a big, scopey horse that I've been very pleased with at home, but this is very much his first day at school. I'm hoping he'll run a nice race, learn plenty from the experience and give us something to build on for the rest of the season.

1.55 Ascot – Dubai Bling

Dubai Bling drops back to five furlongs after being desperately unlucky at Royal Ascot. He never really saw daylight there and finished with plenty left to give.

This is still a valuable race but it's a smaller field, which should hopefully mean the gaps appear when he needs them. He likes to be delivered late, so we'll need things to fall right, but he's in excellent form and I think he goes there with a very solid chance.

2.10 Chester – The Flying Seagull

The Flying Seagull is down to a mark of 70 now, which definitely gives him the chance to win again. Unfortunately, we've had no luck whatsoever with the draw and he's been dealt another difficult stall. I genuinely don't think I've trained a horse who's been as consistently unlucky with draws as he has. He's deserved to win more races than he has, but hopefully one day the draw will finally fall his way.

2.15 Newmarket – Ruby's Angel

I'm really looking forward to stepping Ruby's Angel up to seven furlongs. She's done well over six furlongs, but I think this extra distance can bring out some improvement. She's a lovely filly, she's training well and I'm excited to see what she can do over the longer trip.

2.27 Ascot – Seagulls Eleven

Seagulls Eleven has had a tremendous season and arrives here in terrific form. The challenge when you've had a good year is that you keep moving up the ladder, and this is another step up against some proven Group performers.

More Thunder sets a very high standard after his recent Group 1 form, so we're asking Seagulls Eleven to improve again. That said, before the Queen Anne plenty of people wondered whether we could take on Docklands and those types, and he proved he belonged at that level. On official ratings he's only got around seven pounds to find, which over a mile isn't an impossible amount.

To win he'll probably need to produce the best performance of his career. The encouraging thing is, I genuinely believe he's better than ever. Now we'll find out if that's good enough.

2.45 Chester – He's A Gentleman

He's A Gentleman has actually been keeping himself busy since we last saw him under Rules, winning two charity races at Newbury and Carlisle for two of our girls, and he's been an absolute star. Sometimes those races can really suit an older horse like him, and he looked after both riders brilliantly. He's come out of them in great order and continues to train well.

Sadly, the draw hasn't helped us here either and stall ten around Chester is far from ideal. We'll need plenty to go our way from there.

3.02 Ascot – Mia Fantasia

We think a lot of Mia Fantasia. He won on debut at Carlisle but made life difficult for himself by falling out of the stalls and showing plenty of greenness early on. That's why I've been keen to keep him in novice company for now.

He carries a penalty and Ascot novice races are never easy to win, but I think he's a smart horse with a bright future. Hopefully he can get the job done before we start looking at stepping him up in class.

3.52 Chester – Roman Dragon

Roman Dragon absolutely loves Chester, but once again we've come away with another poor draw. Over seven furlongs it's perhaps not quite as damaging as it would be over shorter, but he'll probably have to take his medicine early and hope things open up late. The step up in trip could actually help if he's ridden to finish his race strongly.

Around Chester everything has to fall into place, especially when you're drawn wide, but he's in good form and we know he enjoys the track.

4.45 Ascot – Blingy's Sister

I was delighted with Blingy's Sister's run in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot. She performed with real credit in a huge, highly competitive field. This is a smaller field and she's dropping in grade, which should suit. She's trained very well since Ascot and she clearly handles the track.

She's only won once, on her debut, but she's been remarkably consistent and has hardly run a bad race since. I'd love to see her back in the winner's enclosure.

7.50 Hamilton – Lucky Camino

Lucky Camino makes his handicap debut after being gelded. The one thing we'll be keeping an eye on is the ground. If it gets too quick, we'll have to think carefully about whether we run, so we'll assess conditions in the morning. If the ground is suitable, though, I think he has a favourite's chance and I'd be hopeful of a big run.

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