Galileo Gold and Frankie all loved up for Newbury date

Classic-winning pair Frankie Dettori and Galileo Gold are "back in love with each other" according to trainer Hugo Palmer, which could be bad news for their opposition in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury next month.

Last year's 2,000 Guineas hero, who is 3-1 joint favourite with Ribchester with most firms for the Group 1 showpiece on May 20, is the star turn at Palmer's growing Newmarket operation, which now includes a yard on either side of the town totalling 150 boxes.

After showing the son of Paco Boy off to the media on Monday, the trainer could not have sounded more confident, saying: "We took Galileo Gold to the Rowley Mile for a gallop last Thursday to remind Frankie what an engine this horse has and to allow them to get back in love with each other again.

Frankie Dettori: looking forward to partnering Galileo Gold in the LockingeCredit: Edward Whitaker

"It couldn't have gone any better, and the look on Frankie's face afterwards said all we needed to know. What with all the hugging and kissing you could really feel that the magic was back between them."

After providing Palmer with a landmark first Classic win last year, Galileo Gold and Dettori went onto further glory at Royal Ascot in the St James's Palace Stakes, and then finished runner-up in the Sussex Stakes.

After that, however, the campaign somewhat fizzed out with Galileo Gold twice well beaten in the autumn.

On reflection, Palmer admits he would have done things differently. He said: "He had three quick races last year in the Guineas, Irish Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes, and I now regret taking him to France after the Sussex as he didn't have time to relax.

"It buzzed him up and he never really calmed down for the rest of the year. It's fair to say that when Frankie got off him at Ascot in October their relationship was pretty much on the rocks."

Following a good winter break Al Shaqab's stallion-in-waiting looks to have his mojo back and Palmer is counting down the days until his bid to emulate Olympic Glory, who won the Lockinge for the owner and race sponsor in 2014.

The trainer continued: "Galileo Gold is absolutely there in himself at the moment and all we have to do is nervously tick him over now for four weeks.

"We may also run Home Of The Brave, depending on how he gets on in the Group 3 King Richard III Stakes at Leicester on Saturday. We think he'll get a mile, and they don't tend to go flat out in races like the Lockinge."

Although he won the 2,000 Guineas a year ago, Palmer may not be represented in the race this year as there is doubt over the participation of Escobar, who did not sparkle in a workout at Newmarket last week.

Of the general 33-1 chance he added: "Escobar didn't really handle the Dip at Newmarket so he'll have to shape up if he's going to run. We could look at the French Guineas instead."