Martin Dixon: Optimum conditions at HQ for my Saturday nap

Woodhay Wonder lost her unbeaten record on the Rowley Mile when third here on her seasonal return (behind More Thunder and Aramram) but she still ran a blinder, travelling powerfully but closer to a hot pace than ideal and she's entitled to come on for the run. 

The ground will be a fair bit faster here than was the case in April too, which I think is really in her favour as speed is her forte.

I expect this tremendously likeable and consistent filly to go close under optimum conditions. 

Galeron finished an excellent fourth in the 2000 Guineas on his most recent visit to the Rowley Mile and he was understandably highly tried  after that - including during a spell in Australia in 2024 - but he's returned to the UK in calmer waters and shaped promisingly when fifth in the Lincoln on his comeback last time. 

I got the impression that day that this slightly longer distance could be in his favour and, at odds of 10/1 available at the time of writing, I'm backing him each-way with most bookmakers offering four places. 

I'm sure this Palace House Stakes will have been the plan all along as a start point for Beautiful Diamond given she was a close third as 5/2 favourite for the corresponding race last year.

I'm hoping there's still more to come from her this time around given that she's lightly-raced and has always looked a rather unfurnished type physically who could just come into her own as a four-year-old. 

She has bags of speed and the quickening track at Newmarket will be in her favour.