June 05 / 14.40 Epsom

14.40

Good To Soft

Betfred Diomed Stakes (Group 3)

  • Prize money: £70887.5
  • 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: Light rain

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 180-21

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
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.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(6)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:27 Ascot

Seagulls Eleven

9st 3lb

J: David Probert

T: Hugo Palmer

This prominent racer was pipped by No Lunch (who has to give him 3lb now) in Saint-Cloud Group 2 on reappearance but has built on that with wins in Listed race at Longchamp and Group 3 at Epsom (both 1m, good to soft) in recent months; while his best RPRS have been achieved on good or softer his second on good to firm at last year's Newmarket July meeting was as good as anything he'd achieved at that stage; should go well.

8/1

1st

7

(8)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Seagulls Eleven

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

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.

4/1

8th

10

(1)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 York

Seagulls Eleven

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hugo Palmer

3yo who has done well since being gelded, finishing second in a Listed race at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) then beating his three rivals to win the Group 3 Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood (1m, soft); supplemented for this race at a cost of £40,000 but could be vulnerable in this grade.

25/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.45

Form: 21-431 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
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).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(5)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

15:35 Sandown

Boiling Point

9st 12lb

J: James Doyle

T: K R Burke

Ran creditably, one place behind Persica, in Epsom Group 3 last time but is now worse off with that rival; has to overcome a 3lb penalty for narrow Listed win at Goodwood (1m2f, good) in May.

16/1

3rd

1

(4)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Boiling Point

9st 8lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

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).

5/1

1st

3

(1)

22nd May 2026

Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

16:17 Goodwood

Boiling Point

9st 3lb

J: Shane Gray

T: K R Burke

Defied top weight in the 2025 Cambridgeshire (1m1f, good to firm) and holds a leading chance provided that smart handicap form is reproduced; hasn't transferred it back to Group level this term but he's respected on ratings and is a similar type to last year's winner of this race (for same connections).

9/2

4th
3 (6)
Ice Max

5/1

Form: 11-536 D BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
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.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(6)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Ice Max

9st 8lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

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.

5/1

6th

1

(4)

22nd May 2026

Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

16:17 Goodwood

Ice Max

9st 6lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Won the Celebration Mile at Goodwood in 2024; creditable third, faring best of the runners who came off steady pace, in Group 2 at Chester (good) upped to 1m2f last time; unexposed at this distance and enters calculations despite carrying a 3lb penalty for Listed success (1m, soft) last autumn.

7/2

3rd

3

(3)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 1

14:35 Chester

Ice Max

9st 3lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Ended last season with a pair of 1m victories, the latest in a Nottingham Listed event (soft); not totally disgraced when fifth of eight in a Group 3 at Dusseldorf (1m, heavy) on last month's return, but that does indicate his limitations; races beyond an extended 1m for the first time; stable also runs Royal Rhyme.

20/1

Form: 53153-

Last run: 189 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
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.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(7)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Royal Playwright

9st 8lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Andrew Balding

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.

20/1

10

(7)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket

Royal Playwright

9st 3lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Landed a second career win in 1m2f Goodwood conditions race (soft) in October; 0-8 in Listed/Group races prior to that but placed on a few occasions and he should be in the mix here.

6/1

10

(7)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket

Royal Playwright

9st 3lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Landed a second career win in 1m2f Goodwood conditions race (soft) in October; 0-8 in Listed/Group races prior to that but placed on a few occasions and he should be in the mix here.

6/1

6th
8 (5)
Skukuza

10/1

Form: 43-456

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Form dipped last time when he 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).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

24th

2

(17)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Skukuza

9st 12lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: Ed Dunlop

Good second (off 20lb lower) in the Britannia at this meeting two years ago but he was progressive at the time, whereas his form has dipped in last two outings (normally a consistent sort, including at Group level); 2-2 at the Curragh compared to only 1-16 elsewhere; wears first-time headgear.

50/1

6th

8

(5)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Skukuza

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Ed Dunlop

Form dipped last time when he 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).

10/1

6th

6

(2)

15th Apr 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Skukuza

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Ed Dunlop

Won a valuable Curragh handicap last May and impressed in a Listed win there (also 1m, good) the following month; again had Ryan Moore riding when he looked a shade unlucky in York Group 3 (1m1f, good to firm) in August; finished last year with good efforts in Group 2s at Leopardstown and Longchamp; back in that sort of form when close fifth in Saint-Cloud Group 3 (1m, soft) 17 days ago and he's a likely player with Moore retaking the reins.

5/1

8/1

Form: 1570-4

Last run: 69 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
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.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(2)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

14:58 York

Qirat

9st 8lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Ralph Beckett

Not totally solid on his form since 150-1 success when pacemaker in last year's Sussex Stakes (1m, good); however, looks interesting back down in trip, with his 7f record reading 1211225 (ran creditably behind Never So Brave in C&D Group 1 the final time); fitting of tongue-tie may also contribute to a resurgence.

12/1

7th

5

(2)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Qirat

9st 8lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Ralph Beckett

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.

8/1

4th

3

(4)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:57 Doncaster

Qirat

9st 2lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Ralph Beckett

150-1 winner of the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood (1m, good) in July when acting as a pacemaker; that form can't be taken at face value but he was fifth in the Group 1 City Of York Stakes (7f, good to firm) next time and that performance reads well in the context of most of today's opposition; versatile ground-wise; goes well fresh and could be involved on his reappearance.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 12-125 D BF

Last run: 63 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Has taken his form to a new level, notably with a 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.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(3)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Chancellor

9st 8lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Has taken his form to a new level, notably with a 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.

10/1

5th

1

(8)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:00 Newcastle (AW)

Chancellor

9st 12lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

He has improved for gelding/wind operations, winning a 7f handicap at Kempton and a 1m Listed event at Southwell this winter; narrowly denied in the Winter Derby six weeks ago (not a vintage renewal); the demands of this race should be more suitable and he still has Pattern-race aspirations; he'll need to be a Group horse to give the weight away all round but he is an each-way contender at the very least; cheekpieces now added.

11/2

Form: 5608-4 CD

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
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.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £12.80
Straight Forecast £9.08
Tricast £32.19
Trifecta £34.80

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Persica

D Express:

Seagulls Eleven

RP RATINGS:

Boiling Point

The Times:

Chancellor

SPOTLIGHT:

Qirat

NEWMARKET:

Skukuza

Daily Mail:

Ice Max

Daily Record:

Seagulls Eleven

POSTDATA:

Boiling Point

Telegraph:

Persica

The Guardian:

Persica

Daily Mirror:

Persica

The Sun:

Persica

The Star:

Persica