Ever Given has been set the challenge of picking up a Group Three next following his win in the Listed Surrey Stakes on Oaks day at Epsom.

Hugo Palmer’s son of Kodi Bear was an impressive afternoon racing – epsom winner of a Chester handicap on his reappearance, but had a point to prove when stepping up to seven furlongs at Epsom following a disappointing display in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock.

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The progressive colt handled the twists and turns of the Surrey Downs best to get Listed honours in his pocket and although his handler admits Epsom is an easy seven furlongs, the win now opens the door for a tilt at either the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot or the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket a week later as connections now target Group-level prizes.Watch how Ever Given scored at Epsom

Palmer said: “It’s a sharp seven furlongs at Epsom, as everyone knows they race downhill for at least half the race, but I was very pleased with him. I think it is fair to say it was a career-best performance and it looks like he’s still progressive.

“I think the Jersey would have to be the obvious next step, the only thing is I don’t think he wants rattling fast ground and Ascot can get very quick, so we will just have to see what the weather brings.

“There is also the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket the following week as an option and he’s a Listed winner now, so the next thing to do is go to a Group Three and keep climbing the ladder that way.”

Palmer and owners the Dandy Boys also hit the crossbar on Friday afternoon when Self Praise defied traffic problems in the early stages to fly home for second in the opening Woodcote Stakes.

With the winner of that race set to be pointed towards the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, Palmer believes the runner-up would also not be out of place in the Group Two event on the opening day of the summer meeting, but thinks the best thing to do at this stage could be to get a win under the belt of the smart Twilight Son colt.

He continued: “I think he’s a very nice colt and we’ll just have to talk to the owners and see what they want to do. My natural want would be to go and win a maiden with him and then if we were pleased, we might head to something like the Superlative Stakes.

“Seven furlongs will suit him well, but at the same time he wouldn’t be disgraced in a Coventry, so we would have to keep at least one eye on that.”

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Queen Will Be Watching Derby Racing ‘on The Sofa In Her Comfy Clothes’ Zara Tindall Reveals At Epsom

Her Majesty’s granddaughter Zara Tindall revealed the Queen watched on from home in ‘comfy clothes’ Princess Anne stood in for the Queen after experiencing ‘discomfort’ following Thursday’s celebrationsEpsom Derby would be one of Her Majesty’s favourite events, as a passionate horse owner and breederZara Tindall, Sir Tim Laurence and Peter Phillips were also in attendance at Epsom Racecourse todayThe Queen pulled out of the National Thanksgiving Service at St Paul’s Cathedral and reception at GuildhallKate Middleton told a well-wisher on that Her Majesty is ‘fine’ but found yesterday’s events ‘very, very tiring’

The Queen watched the Epsom Derby Day at home on the sofa in her ‘comfy clothes’ Zara Tindall revealed this afternoon, as Princess Anne stood in for the monarch alongside her family at the races on the third day of celebrations for the Platinum Jubilee.

The Princess Royal was grinning from ear to ear at Epsom Racecourse as she and her family enjoyed the racing at Derby Day to stand in for Her Majesty the Queen who was forced to pull out of one of her favourite events of the year.

Desert Crown stormed to success in the Cazoo Derby with jockey Richard Kingscote to provide trainer Sir Michael Stoute with his sixth victory at Epsom Downs. In 2013, Stoute trained the Queen’s horse Estimate to Gold Cup victory at the Royal Ascot.

And watching on from the stands was Princess Anne with her husband Sir Timothy Laurence, daughter Zara Tindall and husband Mike, as well as Peter Phillips who was in attendance with girlfriend Lindsay Wallace, the daughter of an oil tycoon.

Speaking at the major sporting event, Zara Tindall, the Queen’s granddaughter, spoke of Her Majesty earlier today: ‘She will be watching on the TV – she has a few runners today dotted around the country, so she knows exactly what’s going on.

‘She’ll just be sat on the sofa watching the TV. She’ll be in her comfy clothes.’

Asked about the royal procession arriving through a guard of honour of 40 of the Queen’s past and present jockeys, Zara added: ‘It was amazing. It was so nice to see so many faces. It was funny seeing them trying to fit back into the colours again, all the retired ones.

‘Obviously, we’d love her [The Queen] to be here. But it’s nice to be here. I’ve never been to Epsom before. It’s exciting. I need to go and explore.’

The monarch, who is said to be ‘fine’ despite the announcement on Friday that she was to pull out of one of her favourite events, watched the Epsom Derby Day on television from Windsor Castle this afternoon.

Her Majesty has been sent a souvenir race card to follow the action from home. 

Representing the Queen in her absence was Anne, Princess Royal, who has arrived at Epsom alongside her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence shortly before 1pm today.The Queen is watching the Epsom Derby Day at home on the sofa in her ‘comfy clothes’ Zara Tindall, pictured with her ex-England rugby player husband Mike, revealed this afternoon, as Princess Anne stood in for the monarch alongside her family at the races on SaturdayZara Tindall wore a blue floral dress with silver earrings, shoes and a matching bagZara Tindall pictured arriving a Epsom this afternoon with husband MikePrincess Anne and her husband Sir Tim Laurence arrived at the sold-out racecourse in Surrey just before 1pm as part of a procession, which included her children Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, 41, who was with her husband, former England rugby player Mike Tindall, 43The Princess Royal, pictured centre next to her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, right, watches the Cazoo Derby race at EpsomThe couple stood in the Royal Box with other members of the family including Zara Phillips, in blue behind Princess Anne, cenrePrincess Anne stands beside winning horse owner Saeed Suhail, right, after jockey Richard Kingscote and horse Desert Crown won the Cazoo Derby race at EpsomPrincess Anne gives Richard Kingscote, the winning jockey of the 4.30pm Cazoo Derby race at Epsom Racecourse this afternoon, an award. Stood left of him is horse trainer Michael Stoute and right, horse owner Saeed SuhailPrincess Anne, left, stands with winning trio trainer Michael Stoute, centre left, jockey, Richard Kingscote who won with horse Desert Crown, centre right, and horse owner Saeed Suhail, pictured right holding the Cazoo Derby trophy

The couple arrived at the sold-out racecourse in Surrey as part of a procession, which included her children Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, 41, who was with her husband, former England rugby player Mike Tindall, 43.

Zara, a silver Olympic medal-winning equestrian lives on her mother Princess Anne’s Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire. 

Peter Phillips arrived with his new girlfriend Lindsay Wallace, who is said to have met the Queen for the first time in January this year.

Crowds cheered and waved union flags as the Royals made their way on to the course.

Jubilee celebrations took place in the Queen’s absence, with 40 jockeys who have ridden for the owner-breeder, donning the royal racing silks and forming a guard of honour before the national anthem was sung. Anne appeared in the royal box while the national anthem was played by a band.

Five of the monarch’s former racehorses were also paraded, and a selection of hats inspired by the seven decades of her reign have been displayed.Speaking at the major sporting event, Zara Tindall, the Queen’s granddaughter, said: ‘She will be watching on the TV – she has a few runners today dotted around the country, so she knows exactly what’s going on. ‘She’ll just be sat on the sofa watching the TV. She’ll be in her comfy clothes.’ The Queen is pictured on the Buckingham Palace balcony on ThursdayZara Tindall, pictured second left, is pictured watching the racing at Epsom Downs for the Derby this afternoon from the Royal Box, where she attended with her husband Mike TindallPrincess Anne, who is standing in for the Queen at the Epsom Derby, pictured second from left, stands beside her husband Sir Timothy LaurencePrincess Anne, centre, stands beside Cazoo Derby officials and winning duo, trainer Michael Stoute, and Jockey Richard Kingscote. Owner of the horse Saeed Suhail, holds the trophy after winning the 4.30pm Cazoo Derby, rightPrincess Anne’s son Peter Phillips arrived with his new girlfriend Lindsay Wallace, who is said to have met the Queen for the first time in January this yearThe Princess Royal’s first child Peter, 44, was pictured with his girlfriend who has been named in numerous reports as Lindsay Wallace (pictured together this afternoon), despite it being rare for the girlfriend of a member of the royal family to attend a high-profile eventCrowds cheered and waved at the princess, who was grinning and chatting with her husband Vice Admiral Sir TimThe Princess Royal could be seen laughing, waving and thanking crowds at Epsom Derby Day for making her feel welcome. Pictured with her husband Sir TimPeter Phillips, right, pictured with girlfriend Lindsay Wallace in the stands this afternoon on Derby Day at Epsom Racecourse

The Princess Royal could be seen laughing, waving and thanking crowds at Epsom Derby Day for making her feel welcome.

Crowds cheered and waved at the princess, who was grinning and chatting with her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim.

Frankie Dettori and Willie Carson, who has ridden some of the Queen’s most memorable winners, lined part of the course with the other jockeys.

Describing for BBC News the pride he has felt while riding for the Queen in her racing colours, Dettori said: ‘Every time you see these (colours) on your peg you (have) this sense of importance and it’s a great honour.

‘Look she’s a big lover of horse racing, and like you say she’s only missed the Derby twice.Representing the Queen in her absence is Anne, Princess Royal, who has arrived at Epsom just before 1pm todayPrincess Anne wore a pale green tweed dress with a matching jacket. Pictured as she arrived at Epsom RacecourseThe Princess Royal arrives at the Epsom Derby where she is greeted by trainer Nicky Henderson, pictured right, for the third day of celebrations for The Queen’s Platinum JubileeAnne, the Princess Royal is pictured at Epsom Derby on Saturday afternoon. Yesterday the Royal visited penguins at Edinburgh Zoo as other members of the royal family toured the four nations of the UK for the Queen’s Platinum JubileeZara, a silver Olympic medal-winning equestrian lives on her mother Princess Anne’s Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire. Pictured arriving at the Epsom Derby on Saturday with husband Mike Tindall

‘But I’m sure today she’ll find a TV and she’s going to watch it live because she loves the Derby so much.