Group Three Diomed Stakes Epsom Downs Guide 2023

David O’Meara boasts one runner in the Diomed Stakes with his nine-year-old Escobar. The gelding won the Challenge Cup Handicap at Ascot last October but has struggled since, finishing tenth, third and fourth in the Listed Trophy Stakes at Haydock last month. He was heavily raced last year and managed two victories, but most came in lesser company than he will face here.

Tougher test back up in class now and others make more appeal on recent form. Jason Watson will do the steering.

Sir Michael Stoute sends one of his horses to this Epsom contest on Saturday with eight-year-old Regal Reality. The gelding won Group Three Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor last August but that is his only win since winning at Salisbury back in 2020. He has produced some decent efforts at this sort of level but has been below-par since last term’s Windsor victory, finishing fourth and fifth on his two outings since.

This race will be a bit easier for him so he will be in with a chance for sure. Ryan Moore is booked to ride.

Roger Fell sends one runner to the Diomed Stales at Epsom on Saturday with his 96-rated horse Marie’s Diamond. He’s winless since 2021 and in that time has had 25 runs. Has been in the places occasionally throughout that time, including runner-up in the Class Two Knights Solicitors Handicap at York last month but looks unlikely to make his mark at this sort of level here.

Hollie Doyle is booked to ride the market outsider for this Epsom contest, but he’s unlikely to spring a surprise.

Charlie Appleby sends one runner to the Diomed Stakes at Epsom on Saturday with his five-year-old Highland Avenue. The gelding won three times in 2021 but has been winless since and had a number of below-par showings in grouped company at the likes of Deauville, ParisLongchamp and Meydan. He returned well this term, finishing third in the Group Three Gordon Richards Stakes at Newmarket last month, not far off Anmaat and winner Adayar.

Has claims here if building on that Newmaket run and he could record a first win since 2021. William Buick is booked to ride.

Andrew Balding has one runner in this year’s Diomed Stakes with Imperial Fighter. The four-year-old finished third in last year’s Irish 2000 Guineas but has failed to kick on since then, finishing thirteenth at Chantilly, last of six at Doncaster and last of five in the Group Two bet365 Mile at Newmarket on his most recent outing last month.

Others are preferred here with the gelding not able to reproduce that Guineas form at the moment. Oisin Murphy will be on board.

Roger Varian sends one runner to the Diomed Stakes at Epsom on Saturday with Kolsai. The three-year-old has shown lots of promise in his early career, winning at Newmarket in September last year as well as finishing runner-up on all of the other three occasions, including the Listed Feilden Stakes a couple of months ago, half a length behind Canberra Legend.

He’s a big player in this company on the form he has shown in his career so far and looks the biggest threat to Highland Avenue. David Egan is booked to ride.