Galileo Gold confirmed for Ascot
Hugo Palmer's colt was disappointing on his last start in France but Palmer is convinced if he is beaten at Ascot it will take a very special horse to do so
HUGO PALMER has poured cold water on the prospects of 2000 Guineas winner Galileo Gold making a trip to America for the Breeders' Cup after confirming that the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot will be his final start of the season.
The Newmarket handler is to return the three-year-old back to the scene of his St James's Palace Stakes victory for a shot at the Group One contest on October 15 as he looks for a third success at the top level this season.
Although the son of Paco Boy finished behind Ribchester, who he previously had behind him in the 2000 Guineas and the Sussex Stakes, on his latest start in the Jacques le Marois at Deauville, Palmer is optimistic he can finish a lot closer when the pair clash again at the Berkshire track.
He said: "Galileo Gold is in good shape and he heads to Ascot now for the QEII. He will run once more this year and that will be at Ascot.
"I think really that France just came too quickly. We didn't really have the time to get his work in and he was just too fresh in France.
"He didn't run his race in France for whatever reason but he clearly needs to run his race at the very least if he is to be competitive at Ascot.
"He has won a Guineas and the St James's Palace Stakes so he is a pretty remarkable colt.
"He is in the running to be champion miler and if he wins at Ascot he will be but if he gets beat I presume that whatever beats him will be champion miler."
