Hugo Palmer Considering St Leger For Best Of Days

Hugo Palmer will enter Best Of Days in the William Hill St Leger at Doncaster following his creditable effort at Newbury on Saturday.

The Godolphin owned colt looked an exciting prospect after winning two of his three starts as a juvenile, including the Royal Lodge at Newmarket, but finished last of 12 runners on his belated return to action in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot last month. He dropped in trip and class for the Listed Steventon Stakes in Berkshire and while he was unsuited by the rain-softened ground, Palmer was pleased with his performance in finishing third.

"It was nice to get him back on track," said the Newmarket-based trainer. "Oisin (Murphy) said he absolutely hated the ground and it was only his guts and class that got him through to finish third. All options are open for him. We'll look at Goodwood, he's got an entry in the Great Voltigeur at York and he'll get an entry in the St Leger. Because of the ground, we didn't really learn what trip he wants. I think a mile and a quarter is fine, but I've always felt he'd come into his own the further he went, which is why he'll get a Leger entry. I don't think he wants rattling quick ground, either. Like most horses, I think good ground would be perfect for him."