June 01 / 14.35 Epsom

14.35

Good To Soft

Betfred Diomed Stakes (Group 3)

  • Prize money: £56710
  • 1m 0f 113y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
ITV
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Betfred Diomed Stakes (Group 3)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

15/2 (Won)

  • Win: £11.10
  • Place: £2.95

Form: /398-9

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Last season's 3yo campaign was cut short in June after two disappointing Group 1 performances and he was well beaten on his reappearance in the Group 1 Lockinge a fortnight ago; needs to prove he's still the force of old but he was third in last season's 2,000 Guineas (1m, soft) and if tapping back into that ability he has a major shout today; versatile ground-wise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(11)

11th Oct 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Royal Scotsman

9st 5lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Paul & Oliver Cole

alone against near rail, in touch with leaders, no chance with winner from over 1f out, went second final 110yds, kept on

4/1

1st

6

(5)

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

14:35 Epsom

Royal Scotsman

9st 8lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Paul & Oliver Cole

Last season's 3yo campaign was cut short in June after two disappointing Group 1 performances and he was well beaten on his reappearance in the Group 1 Lockinge a fortnight ago; needs to prove he's still the force of old but he was third in last season's 2,000 Guineas (1m, soft) and if tapping back into that ability he has a major shout today; versatile ground-wise.

15/2

10/1

  • Place: £2.25

Form: 0-2151 D

Last run: 85 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Improved form for Lucie Botti at Meydan early this year, winning two handicaps (1m1f/1m, good); has shown promise on good to soft; now back with Marco Botti (husband of Lucie); however, needs to take another step forward if he's to pose a threat now back up in grade on British return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(2)

9th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 100y

Class 1

15:00 Haydock

Royal Dubai

9st 7lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Owen Burrows

Left the Bottis after penultimate start; only second race over as far as 1m2f when straight back to his best in five-runner Listed race at Newbury (good to firm) three weeks ago, asserting in the final 1f; needs to find a bit extra in this company but that was a cracking start for his new stable.

100/30

1st

7

(7)

19th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Newbury

Royal Dubai

9st 8lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Owen Burrows

Peak efforts were in June/July last year, including when second in the 8.5f Group 3 Diomed at Epsom, a race in which he underperformed on latest outing; left the Bottis since; has only once raced over this far (2023, bit below form) and balance of form suggests this will be a tough task.

20/1

7

(4)

7th Jun 2025

Good

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

13:35 Epsom

Royal Dubai

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Marco Botti

Finished behind Docklands at Ascot last time but, unlike that rival, already has Epsom form having finished second in this race 12 months ago (good to soft; one of his best efforts); still seeking first Group win but has each-way claims back in the Diomed.

12/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.55

Form: 108-76 D

Last run: 99 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Carries a 3lb penalty for last October's Group 3 Darley Stakes win at Newmarket (1m1f, soft) and he wasn't at his best at Meydan in the winter; however, he also failed to shine in a previous stint in Dubai; runner-up in this race last year (good to firm) and could go well on British return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(1)

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

14:35 Epsom

Highland Avenue

9st 11lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Carries a 3lb penalty for last October's Group 3 Darley Stakes win at Newmarket (1m1f, soft) and he wasn't at his best at Meydan in the winter; however, he also failed to shine in a previous stint in Dubai; runner-up in this race last year (good to firm) and could go well on British return.

3/1

10/1

Form: 2-4236 D

Last run: 77 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Horse

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Ex-German 7yo who went close in Group 3 at Meydan (1m2f, good) in February on second start for this yard and ran another big race when third in Group 2 there next time (1m1f, good; badly hampered final furlong); also effective on soft; below par at Jebel Ali in March when last seen but that was on dirt; one to consider now returned to turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(8)

5th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Sean

9st 8lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Useful weights turnaround with Flying Frontier on C&D form last August and also with Arabian Light from Meydan (1m1f) in February; however, some question marks about his form since and whether he really wants a stiff test at 1m2f has yet to be proved.

20/1

10

(23)

18th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Sean

9st 7lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Record of 0-17 for current yard doesn't tell the whole story, as he's capable of very useful form; last few efforts don't augur well, however, and he came up short (finished 11th) in this race in 2024.

50/1

2

(3)

26th May 2025

Good

1m 0f 31y

Class 2

15:55 Windsor

Sean

9st 6lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Well handicapped on his best form last year, but losing run is up to 17 and he was always in rear in a Class 2 handicap at Newmarket (1m1f, good) 23 days ago; others preferred.

10/1

7/2

Form: 1214-5 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Dead-heated in Group 3 Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury (1m, good) last August and good fourth in French Group 2 next time (1m, good to soft); below-par fifth at Newmarket on reappearance but may have needed the run and a first-time hood could help this headstrong sort settle better; remains lightly raced and this 4yo could still have more to offer; one to be interested in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(4)

28th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 1

15:12 Pontefract

Embesto

9st 7lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Shared the spoils in Salisbury Group 3 during his first season last year; good third in Group 2 event at Ascot (1m, good) most recently, showing he's back in top form; commands respect.

13/8

3rd

4

(7)

13th Jul 2024

Soft

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:20 Ascot

Embesto

9st 3lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

taken down early, took keen hold, prominent, led 2f out, headed over 1f out

6/1

5th

2

(7)

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

14:35 Epsom

Embesto

9st 8lb

J: James Doyle

T: Roger Varian

Dead-heated in Group 3 Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury (1m, good) last August and good fourth in French Group 2 next time (1m, good to soft); below-par fifth at Newmarket on reappearance but may have needed the run and a first-time hood could help this headstrong sort settle better; remains lightly raced and this 4yo could still have more to offer; one to be interested in.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 1548-5 C

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Well beaten at Ascot on final run last season and same story on reappearance there (having been gelded); however, Ascot doesn't appear to be his course and a case can be made for him judged on last August's Group 3 Thoroughbred Stakes win at Goodwood (1m, soft); soft-ground Listed winner here last April; possible player, especially if slow ground prevails.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(6)

30th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 4

18:42 Lingfield

Epictetus

9st 5lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Things didn't pan out his way on first crack at 1m4f here last time (AW) and that was another in-form effort; has found his level again but wants a good test over this trip, he hasn't won in a long time and has become inconsistent on turf.

7/1

3rd

2

(5)

12th May 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:20 Lingfield (AW)

Epictetus

9st 10lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Beaten half a length or less in his last three goes on the AW (7f-9.5f), but losing run up to 22 and has never attempted this far before; others safer.

5/1

2nd

1

(5)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 4

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Epictetus

9st 9lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Has gone close recently and was only beaten half a length at Lingfield (1m, AW) 13 days ago but is without a win since landing a Group 3 for the Gosdens three years ago; looks sure to be thereabouts once again.

7/2

Form: 324-43 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
9yo who is a five-time Group 3 winner, the latest this race last year (good to firm); also won one on good to soft in 2022; a slow start proved costly at Chester three weeks ago and he's a key player if breaking better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(1)

7th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 37y

Class 1

13:15 Haydock

Regal Reality

9st 5lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Sir Michael Stoute

9yo who hasn't been at his very best this year and can be slowly away; however, this five-time Group 3 winner has still shown considerable spark in 2024, including here last time, and he may well be in the mix.

9/2

3rd

6

(4)

10th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 100y

Class 1

15:00 Haydock

Regal Reality

9st 7lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Sir Michael Stoute

in touch with leaders early

12/1

Form: 7152-4 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Won two fast-ground handicaps last summer and campaign concluded with 4l second to Highland Avenue in Group 3 Darley Stakes at Newmarket (1m1f, soft); could improve for his reappearance Listed fourth at Haydock three weeks ago but needs a clear career best to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(7)

17th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

15:05 Haydock

Silver Sword

10st 0lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Dylan Cunha

Gained last success off just 1lb lower at Meydan in March; hasn't scored on home soil for over two years but ran respectably in competitive field at York (1m) last Friday; possibilities back down in grade.

13/2

5th

13

(16)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

13:30 York

Silver Sword

8st 8lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Dylan Cunha

Failed to kick on after big-field handicap win at Meydan (1m, good to firm) in March but returned from a break in the Cambridgeshire (1m1f, good to firm) a fortnight ago and was denied a clear run when finishing an encouraging 11th of 23; he may be able to build on that performance.

16/1

11th

20

(1)

27th Sep 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Silver Sword

8st 8lb

J: J F Egan

T: Dylan Cunha

Won a big-field handicap at Meydan (1m, good to firm) in March; however, didn't really threaten in Britain on his next three starts in April and May, and returns from a break today; others are more appealing.

40/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £72.60
Straight Forecast £56.54
Tricast £212.47
Trifecta £399.70

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Epictetus

POSTDATA:

Embesto

TOPSPEED:

Highland Avenue

RP RATINGS:

Regal Reality

SPOTLIGHT:

Sean

D Express:

Embesto

Daily Record:

Embesto

Telegraph:

Epictetus

Daily Mail:

Epictetus

The Star:

Epictetus

The Guardian:

Highland Avenue

The Sun:

Highland Avenue

The Times:

Regal Reality

Daily Mirror:

Regal Reality