Hugo Palmer Saturday runners blog: 'She's achieved more than any other filly in the race'

Hugo Palmer, in his latest exclusive Coral blog, previews his runners on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Goodwood and Newmarket.

Hugo Palmer Saturday runners blog - May 2, 2026

Hugo Palmer Saturday runners schedule

• Fitzella - Goodwood - 1.30 race odds

• Nolton Cross - Newmarket - 4.45 race odds

Goodwood 1.30 – Fitzella

We had this filly in a race at Newmarket as well as this race, ultimately it made more sense to run her in this 3-y-o only race rather than taking on her elders, so that’s why we’re here.  She has achieved more than any other filly in this race, and that’s reflected in her having the highest rating, although the Godolphin filly [Hassaleh] is the unexposed maiden winner in the field who we know least about.

Fitzella looks the right favourite here, she’s back over six furlongs having not quite seen out seven in the Nell Gwyn, we could try her over further in the future, but she has a lot of pace, and this is the trip she’s done her winning at, so we’ll stick with that for now.

Newmarket 4.45 – Nolton Cross

I’m not certain Newmarket is this horse’s track, but he’s on really good terms with himself at home, and this is a valuable handicap so worth having a go at.  His previous run here was some time ago, he ran no race that day but that may not have been purely down to the track.

We’re back up to a mile and a half having run over ten furlongs at Newcastle last time, I’m happy to put a line through that run, and over a trip that suits, I hope he can run a nice race.

2,000 Guineas thoughts

I must confess I find this year’s 2,000 Guineas all very confusing.  I go from thinking Bow Echo is absolutely the right favourite and should just win, to wondering is his form actually good enough to win a Guineas?  And if he isn’t up to winning, then it looks a wide open renewal, but unfortunately not one I have a strong opinion on besides how confusing it is!