14:40 Epsom
Good To SoftBetfred Diomed Stakes (Group 3)
- First Prize: £70887.5
- 1m 0f 113y
- Class 1
- 8 runners
ITV
Runners: 8 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Light rain
Form: 21-431 D
OR: 113
W: 9st 8lb
Age: 5 yo Colt
Campaigned mostly on good/firmer ground; rallied gamely for Listed honours at Goodwood (1m2f) most recently and, assuming another gritty display is on the way, should remain competitive; top on his peak figure, achieved when defying top weight in last year's Cambridgeshire (1m1f).
Form: 12-125 DBF
OR: 109
W: 9st 8lb
Age: 4 yo Colt
Has taken his form to a new level, notably 1m Listed success, since switched to artificial surfaces; ran creditably in first-time cheekpieces (retained) on finals day at Newcastle most recently; the query is whether his very useful AW form can be transferred back to turf.
Form: 11-536 DBF
OR: 110
W: 9st 8lb
Age: 5 yo Gelding
Very useful performer whose good-ground form includes a close second in this race last year and respectable sixth to stablemate Boiling Point at Goodwood latest start; has registered the majority of wins on softer, notably in Group 2 in 2024 and Listed grade in 2025 (both 1m); major player.
Form: 5608-4 CD
OR: 112
W: 9st 8lb
Age: 5 yo Mare
Versatile as regards ground; gelded prior to below-par effort in sole start this term; smart on his day and is 2-2 at Epsom, namely wins at this meeting for the last two years; beat Ice Max (who received 3lb) by just under 1l in this race 12 months ago and warrants respect back here.
OUR TIP
Form: 1570-4
OR: 112
W: 9st 8lb
Age: 5 yo Colt
Not totally solid on his form since 150-1 success when pacemaker in last year's Sussex Stakes (1m, good); below par in Listed grade in sole run this season; however, record of 3-3 at Goodwood bodes well for this first visit to Epsom, which is a fairly similar track; return to best is plausible.
Form: 53153-
OR: 106
W: 9st 8lb
Age: 4 yo Colt
Respectable fourth in this contest last year but showed better form, including success in conditions race and third-place finishes at Listed/Group level, over 1m2f/1m3f later in 2025; doesn't seem to be crying out for this drop back in trip on reappearance.
Form: 180-21
OR: 112
W: 9st 8lb
Age: 4 yo Colt
Appears versatile as regards ground; Group 3 winner at last year's Glorious Goodwood and better than ever in two French races this term, making all at Longchamp (1m Listed) latest; reasonably solid in current form returned to home soil, and further progress is possible to boot.
Form: 43-456
OR: 110
W: 9st 8lb
Age: 5 yo Colt
Form dipped last time, having raced too freely; otherwise a broadly consistent sort who may rebound, provided he settles better; has Group form and can't be dismissed from a ratings perspective but may be more interesting when back at the Curragh where he's 2-2 (only 1-15 elsewhere).
Terms and conditions
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Betting Forecast
5/1 Boiling Point, 10/1 Chancellor, 5/1 Ice Max, 9/4 Persica, 6/1 Qirat, 14/1 Royal Playwright, 7/1 Seagulls Eleven, 7/1 Skukuza
Verdict
Although his Sussex win remains something of a fluke, QIRAT is nevertheless very interesting on these terms switched to a track that promises to suit him well. Persica, who remains unbeaten here and bids for a Diomed double, is feared most ahead of last year's runner-up Ice Max.[Steve Boow]