13:35 Epsom Downs

Saturday 7 June 2025

All13:0013:3514:1014:4515:3016:1517:0017:40

Betfred Diomed Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 13:36 | Winning time: 1m 44.57s

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(5)

Brave Emperor^b⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: L Morris| T: A Watson| OR: 107| D

50/1

Has been a real money spinner on the continent for connections, adding another win to his tally in Group 3 at Milan in the autumn. However, below par since and looks firmly up against it under a penalty.

Form: 7418-B5

(6)

Geography⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: C Soumillon| T: P Schiergen| OR: 110

12/1

Smart German raider who looked better than ever when a narrow winner of Group 3 at Dusseldorf on return in April. However, looks vulnerable under a penalty on British debut.

Form: 71357-1

(7)

Persica²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: R L Moore| T: R Hannon| OR: 112| C| D

6/4

Progressive last year, bagging handicaps here (10f) and Sandown prior to landing a listed race at Ayr. Took another step forward when claiming the Earl of Sefton at Newmarket in April and it's probably best to overlook his latest run in the Lockinge. Expected to be bang there under a penalty.

Form: 318-318

(2)

Docklands^t³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: R Kingscote| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 114| BF

3/1

Winless last season but showed how good he can be when runner-up in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. Ran a cracker when second to a smart one (clear of rest) at Ascot on return and big chance of getting back on the scoreboard.

Form: 27560-2

(1)

Ice Max⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 109

10/1

Much improved last year, taking form to another level when winning Celebration Mile at Goodwood in August. Well below par next 3 starts, however, including in Group 2 at Sandown on return.

Form: 45149-7

(4)

Royal Dubai³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Rossa Ryan| T: M Botti| OR: 105| D

16/1

Won twice in Meydan early last year and acquitted himself well in defeat in Group company last summer, including when second in this. Just respectable efforts at best so far in 2025, almost 5 lengths behind Docklands when fourth in listed race at Ascot 38 days ago.

Form: 463-554

(8)

Tyrrhenian Sea³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 108

33/1

Smart gelding who looked as good as ever when winning 4-runner listed race at Lingfield (8f, AW) in February. However, was comfortably held by a couple of these at Ascot last time and is still without a victory on turf.

Form: 1/332-17

(3)

Royal Playwright²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 104

4/1

Best effort at 2 yrs when second in the Royal Lodge. Shaped better than the bare result both starts this season (given plenty to do in Dante at York last time). Does have a bit to find taking on older opposition for the first time but he remains unexposed.

Form: 1328-39

Non-Runners

(9)

Cairo²⁹

Weight: 9-8| Age: 5

T: Alice Haynes J: K T O'Neill

Forecasts

Persica (6/4), Docklands (3/1), Royal Playwright (4/1), Ice Max (10/1), Geography (12/1), Royal Dubai (16/1), Cairo (20/1), Tyrrhenian Sea (33/1), Brave Emperor (50/1)

DOCKLANDS ran a cracker when second to subsequent Prix d'Ispahan runner-up Sardinian Warrior at Ascot on his return and this is a good opportunity for him to record his first success since the 2023 Britannia. Persica found the Lockinge at Newbury too demanding last time but he's a likeable type who should make much more of an impact back down in class. The unexposed Royal Playwright is the sole 3-y-o in the field and looks best of the others.