Hugo Palmer Saturday runners blog: 'I think he's got every right to run a very big race at Newbury'

Hugo Palmer, in his latest exclusive Coral blog, previews his runner Ardisia in the 3.10pm at Newbury on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

Hugo Palmer Saturday runners blog - May 16, 2026

Hugo Palmer Saturday runners schedule

• Ardisia - Newbury - 3.10 race odds

We had a really good week at Chester last week, which was great. A few winners, a few others knocking firmly on the door, so the horses are in good form, and we head into the weekend in good spirits.

3.10 Newbury - Ardisia

Ardisia is our sole declared runner on Saturday, and I’ve been very pleased with him this spring. He definitely needed his first run of the season, but I thought he took a really solid step forward at Ascot last time. Importantly, he finished ahead of the current favourite for this race, and he’ll meet him on slightly better terms here, so that gives you encouragement.

Obviously, we tried him over a mile at Del Mar, but that was a very different test altogether and I don’t think he conclusively stayed. At the moment, the plan with him is likely to be Newbury this weekend, then perhaps on to the Surrey Stakes at Epsom, and hopefully the Jersey at Royal Ascot after that. This race just fitted nicely timing-wise and spaced his runs a bit better than waiting for the Sandy Lane next week.

There’s obviously been plenty of talk about Albert Einstein. I’d rather assumed he’d be heading elsewhere, but Aidan has declared him. He may well turn out to be a top-class sprinter, but I haven’t seen anything yet this season — or even necessarily last season — that makes me afraid to take him on.

Ardisia owes us absolutely nothing. He’s won five races, picked up plenty of prize money in valuable contests, and he’s just a tremendously admirable horse. He’s uncomplicated, genuine, and always gives his running. Horses like him are enormous fun to train.

We’ve booked Colin Keane for the ride, which is a big positive. He hasn’t ridden Ardisia before, but he’s a very straightforward horse and I’m sure they’ll get on absolutely fine together.

All in all, I think he’s got every right to run a very big race at Newbury on Saturday.