14:35 Epsom Downs

Saturday 1 June 2024

All13:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:3017:1517:50

Betfred Diomed Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 1m 45.31s

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Selected odds by:

(1)

Highland Avenue⁹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 106| D

7/2

Gained a first win since his 3-y-o campaign when scoring in good style in Darley Stakes at Newmarket last October. Not in the same form campained in Bahrain/Dubai since, but he was second in this race last year and no surprise to see him bounce back after a break.

Form: 4108-76

(7)

Embesto^h1⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: James Doyle| T: R Varian| OR: 110

7/2

Made it 3 wins from his first 4 starts when dead-heating in Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury last August. Creditable fourth in a Longchamp Group 2 on final 3-y-o outing, before being left poorly placed when fifth at Newmarket on return. Worth another chance with hood applied.

Form: 11214-5

(3)

Epictetus^p³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: K Shoemark| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 109| C

10/1

Looked suited by the drop back to 1m when stylish winner of Group 3 at Glorious Goodwood (soft). Fell short in better company later in 2023, but after 6 months off (had been gelded) ran poorly in listed race at Ascot in May. Needs to get back on track with cheekpieces reapplied.

Form: 01548-5

(8)

Regal Reality²²

Age: 9| Weight: 9-8| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 110| CD

4/1

Smart performer who has won a Group 3 every year bar one since 2018, including this race last summer. Some good efforts in defeat later in 2023 and has made the frame both starts this year, albeit no match for his progressive stablemate when third at Chester last time. Respected.

Form: 3324-43

(6)

Royal Dubai⁸⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Oisin Murphy| T: M Botti| OR: 104| D

6/1

Made his first start in Britain a successful one at Chelmsford a year ago and confirmed that improvement in handicaps on his next 3 outings. Below form on his final run of 2023 but has got back on the up this year, winning twice at Meydan. Needs to find more again.

Form: 50-2151

(5)

Royal Scotsman¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: J P Spencer| T: P & O Cole| OR: 111

17/2

Placed for second time in Group 1 company when third in last year's 2000 Guineas. However, down the field in Irish 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace (reportedly suffering from bone bruising), and well held at Newbury on his return. Tongue strap wore last time quickly discarded.

Form: 52/398-9

(2)

Sean⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J A Osborne| OR: 108

10/1

Making second start for current yard, at least as good as ever when narrowly denied in a Meydan Group 3 in February. Shaped as if still in good form next time, before a lesser effort tried on dirt at Jebel Ali in March. Task is now to transfer his turf form in Dubai over to Britain.

Form: 72-4236

(4)

Silver Sword²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 103

18/1

Recorded a third win of 2023 in handicap at York's Ebor meeting and ran well when second in Darley Stakes at Newmarket on his final start, albeit beaten 4 lengths by Highland Avenue. May have needed the run at Haydock on his return, but he has a bit to find back at this level.

Form: 17152-4

Forecasts

Highland Avenue (7/2), Embesto (7/2), Regal Reality (4/1), Royal Dubai (6/1), Royal Scotsman (17/2), Sean (10/1), Epictetus (10/1), Silver Sword (18/1)

EMBESTO developed into a smart performer as a 3-y-o, dead-heating for success in a Group 3 at Salisbury, and he can resume his progress after a slow start left him on the back foot at Newmarket on his reappearance. With a hood added, he is taken to get the better of last year's one-two in the race, with Highland Avenue feared most ahead of Regal Reality.