Hugo Palmer Saturday runners blog - September 19, 2026

Ayr 1.55 – Grey Cuban

Grey Cuban ran a mighty race at Chester last week, to finish second after a long absence.  We were very happy with him going into it, and he’s come out of that race really well, although running him again within a week after such a big run is quite nerve-wracking, as the bounce factor is a real thing.

We’re not spoilt for options with him though, he goes well left-handed and I think Ayr will suit him.  His rating puts him right in the mix in what is an open-looking race, he seems to be in a good place, so we’ll see how we get on.

Newbury 2.12 – Adaay Of Scarlett

Adaay Of Scarlett was disappointing at Kempton last time, although Oisin Murphy, who won that race, did say to me he had never ridden Kempton’s all-weather track so deep as it was that day, so I don’t think that suited this horse.  I’ve taken the cheekpieces off him here, we put them on as Oisin felt he was just worried out of it at Goodwood [Richmond Stakes], but they haven’t helped, in fact his two worst runs this season have been in them.

Any drying of the ground should help him, he looks great and we’re very happy with him, so hopefully he can get back on track here.

Ayr 2.30 – Tricky Tel

I wasn’t expecting Tricky Tel to get in the Ladbrokes Ayr Silver Cup, but he’s just sneaked in at the bottom, which is great.  He’s drawn high, in 24, but we have no idea if that is a good draw or not!  He goes on any ground, he’s moving really well at home, and having had a rotten draw at Chester last week, hopefully he can put that behind him here.

Chester 2.35 – Nascent Star, Koodini & High Hazard

Talking of rotten draws at Chester, we have got stalls 9, 10 and 11 for our trio here, which must defy the odds in a massive way?!   I suppose the only hope is that on soft ground here, horses coming from the back can be favoured if the pace collapses up front.  I just hope those drawn low don’t get gifted a soft lead, which I have seen here.

All three of ours should handle the ground, I think High Hazard wants further, this is Koodini’s trip, and I think Nascent Star will stay this trip well, I think he’s of most interest stepping up in trip.

Chester 3.10 – Reds And Wolves & Patagonia Girl

Our two here have fared better with the draw, although I’m not sure Patagonia Girl will go on this ground, but I think Reds And Wolves will.  For the prize money on offer, it’s quite a competitive race, with the top rated 88, and not much between the rest of them.

Our horses are in good form, if Patagonia Girl can handle the ground we know she likes the track, and Reds And Wolves should like it very much.

Ayr 3.40 – Ardisia & Stratusnine

Both our runners have got into the Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup, which is great. Stratusnine is completely ground versatile so soft ground holds no fears for him, he’s had a great year, is in good form, and I’ve long thought this race would be ideal for him.  He’s a big powerful horse, and I’ve been impressed with Conor Whiteley on the few occasions he’s ridden for me, he takes off a very useful five pounds.

We have Warren Fentiman claiming three pounds off of Ardisia.  This horse is not ground versatile, he needs to get his toe in.  He ran well at Goodwood on soft ground last time to finish second, so he’s in good form also.

They are drawn in six and thirteen respectively, we just don’t know if that is good or not, but with Tricky Tel in 24 in the Silver Cup, and one low and one in the middle here, we should have one of the three in the right place at least!

Chester 4.52 – King Of Thunder

King Of Thunder won from stall ten here last week, and he’s in there again, so hopefully it will be a similar story of a fast early pace that he can finish strongly off of.  This will be his third Saturday run in a row, but he’s had a light campaign before that, and seems in great shape, so we’re happy to give it a go.

Newcastle 5.55 – Divine Symmetry

Divine Symmetry has taken forever and a day to come to hand, so it will be interesting to see how he gets on on his debut. He's a very straightforward horse, he moves very nicely at home and has done everything we've asked of him, he's just been a bit backward, so we've given him plenty of time and we'll see how it goes.

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