Seagulls Eleven where Palmer wants him for 2000 Guineas bid

Hugo Palmer is excited to see whether Seagulls Eleven can follow in the hoofprints of his sire in next month’s Betfred 2000 Guineas, following a pleasing workout over the Rowley Mile on Tuesday.

It is nine years since the trainer claimed Classic glory with Galileo Gold, since when he has made the move from Newmarket to Cheshire to take over the reins at Michael Owen’s Manor House Stables.

“One of the things I’ve had to get used to, having moved, is we’ve only got one gallop, so when you start working young horses they will work impressively once or twice and then they realise their food is going to be in their manger whether they go five lengths clear or five inches clear,” Palmer said.

“That’s something that has taken me three years to accept. It is very nice therefore when you take a horse away to see them open up and pull clear, as he should do given he’s a 112-rated three-year-old with a 78 handicapper leading him.”

Seagulls Eleven proved his worth at the highest level as a juvenile last season, running with credit in the National Stakes in Ireland and the Dewhurst before finishing down the field at the Breeders’ Cup.

With Oisin Murphy in the saddle, he tracked stablemate He’s A Gentleman for much of his workout prior to day one of the Craven meeting before powering clear up the hill.

Palmer said: “I was thrilled to see him go so well. Oisin rode him in the National Stakes and the Dewhurst and kicked himself after the Dewhurst as he wished he’d put more speed into the race at halfway. I’m not blaming him at all, but he was very cross with himself.

“The ground was too soft in the Dewhurst and the ground was probably a bit on the soft side for him today, but I haven’t seen a horse of mine go like that up the Rowley Mile since his dad worked here nine years ago. I haven’t watched a horse work there and got the same buzz since then, so we’ll see.

“Let’s hope he’s OK in the morning and all being well, he’ll come back in two and half weeks’ time.”

As Palmer alluded to, Galileo Gold enjoyed a Frankie Dettori-ridden Craven meeting workout prior to his Guineas triumph in 2016 and Palmer was keen to follow the same path instead of running in a trial.

He added: “We want to get him to the Guineas in the best shape we can, I’ve only won one Guineas and we brought his dad here to gallop as well and they do look very similar.

“It’s a very open renewal, although Aidan O’Brien seems to sound like he’s basically got it won and he might only run one horse (Twain) in the race, but I do remember him saying that about Air Force Blue as well, who was a long way behind Galileo Gold.

“Oisin said our horse felt bigger and stronger and he’s had a good blow today, which hopefully means we don’t have to do too much more with him.”

Seagulls Eleven is owned by several current and former Brighton & Hove Albion footballers and goalkeeper Jason Steele was on hand to watch his Newmarket gallop.

Palmer, who is an avid Newcastle United fan, said: “As Jason was saying beforehand, it’s difficult for them. I think we all think that footballers play 90 minutes of football on a Saturday and spend the rest of the time racing their Ferraris around, but they are incredibly busy guys.

“Jason has been injured and played for the reserves last night, which meant he was able to have a day off today to come and watch him work, but there are 11 of them, so there are 10 other footballers that weren’t allowed a day off to come today.

“All of them played for Brighton when we bought the horse but a few have moved on. Brighton actually play Newcastle on 1000 Guineas day, so I think they should all come here and get absolutely wrecked the day before!

“I think it will be very unlikely for them to be here on Guineas day, but it will be on TV.”