New plan for Premier League footballers' exciting colt after Solario setback

Hugo Palmer will juggle targets for his exciting team of two-year-olds after Seagulls Eleven, who is owned by a group of Premier League footballers, missed out on an intended run in Saturday's Solario Stakes. 

Palmer had the Group 3, which was won by Field Of Gold, in mind for Seagulls Eleven since he finished second to the unbeaten Ancient Truth in the Superlative Stakes in July.

However, plans were derailed after Seagulls Eleven, a son of Palmer's 2,000 Guineas winner winner Galileo Gold who races in the blue and white colours of Brighton and Hove Albion for an ownership team spearheaded by James Milner, suffered a minor setback.

"We were looking forward to the Solario for six weeks, but he managed to lacerate his tongue and it was disappointing to miss the race," the trainer said. 

"He got his bit caught on a bucket clip or something, pulled back and got a fright. He's had it stitched back together and is fine. He's a lovely horse with a very good temperament and he's still cantering without a bit in his mouth."

The Haydock novice winner has multiple other big-race entries, including in the Betfred Champagne Stakes and Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes the weekend after next.

"He's in everything and we'll just have to see, but I suspect Doncaster and the Curragh might come a bit quick," said Palmer. "We initially had Wolf Of Badenoch [Vintage Stakes runner-up] in mind for those races and we could step Seagulls Eleven up to a mile for the Royal Lodge or there's the Tattersalls Stakes [over seven furlongs]. 

"If he doesn't make Doncaster or the Curragh, I'd be comfortable going to the Cambridgeshire meeting. We're lucky because he's versatile with the ground. He's a lovely, big horse with a big future."

Hugo Palmer: strong juvenile team for the autumnCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Palmer has a huge team of juveniles at Michael Owen's Manor House Stables in Cheshire, with other well-bred types firmly in the mix for the autumn's key races.

"We've also got The Waco Kid, Hawksbill and King Casper among the most exciting of them," he added. "The Waco Kid was fourth in the Acomb, Hawksbill runs in the Ascendant at Haydock on Saturday and King Casper may go for the Tattersalls Stakes.

"We thought they were nice when we were buying them through the winter and they've looked like the nicest bunch we've had for a while."

Another two-year-old, It Ain't Two, provided the stable with a double at Chester on Saturday, alongside her half-brother Balon D'Or. 

"It Ain't Two has danced every dance as that was her ninth start and she keeps coming back for more and enjoys it," said Palmer. "She was penalised on Saturday and had it all to do at the weights but she did it, which was great to see. She's bounced out of the race and, all being well, there's every chance she'll go for the Sirenia Stakes [at Kempton] on Saturday."

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