14:40 Epsom Downs

Friday 5 June 2026

All13:3014:0514:4015:1516:0016:4017:1517:50

Betfred Diomed Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:42 | Winning time: 1m 46.74s

(4)

Boiling Point¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 113| D

11/2

Smart performer who posted a career best when defying top weight in the Cambridgeshire (9f) in September. Too free on first 2 starts back this season but in line with yard's good form, he resumed winning ways in listed company at Goodwood (1¼m) 2 weeks ago. Player back up in class.

Form: 421-431

(3)

Chancellor^p⁶³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 109| BF

16/1

Returned a much-improved performer following gelding/breathing operations during the winter, winning twice (including listed race at Southwell), while latest fifth of 14 in a valuable Newcastle handicap (1m) in April was another solid effort. Can remain competitive in pattern company back on turf.

Form: 712-125

(6)

Ice Max¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 110| BF

6/1

Finished runner up behind Persica in this race 12 months ago and ended last season in top form, adding handicap/listed victories to his tally at around 1m. Far from discredited this year, sixth behind stablemate Boiling Point at Goodwood 2 weeks ago. Each-way claims.

Form: 711-536

(1)

Persica⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 112| CD

11/4

Produced a career best when landing this race 12 months ago. Proved more miss than hit thereafter but quite possible his reappearance run in the Earl of Sefton at Newmarket (9f) in April will bring him on. Course record stands at 2-2 and this has likely been his target.

Form: 15608-4

(2)

Qirat⁶⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Colin Keane| T: R M Beckett| OR: 112

12/1

Smart performer who caused a huge upset in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood last summer having slipped the field. Essentially struggled thereafter and whilst he should strip fitter for his Doncaster reappearance in March, he may not be the easiest to place this year.

Form: 01570-4

(7)

Royal Playwright¹⁸⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 106

14/1

Useful colt who capitalised on the ease in class when taking 3-runner conditions event at Goodwood (1¼m) in September. Similar form in defeat tackling listed company final 2 starts but he seemed to have no excuses when good fourth in this race 12 months ago.

Form: 453153-

(8)

Seagulls Eleven¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Oisin Murphy| T: H Palmer| OR: 112

5/2

Smart performer who was a Group 3 winner last summer and hit ground running in France this spring, second in Group 2 company prior to resuming winning ways from the front in listed company at Longchamp (1m, good to firm) 12 days ago. Worth his place back at this higher level.

Form: 2180-21

(5)

Skukuza⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: R L Moore| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 110

14/1

Progressed with back-to-back victories at the Curragh last season, landing a listed race latterly. Performed with credit first 2 starts this year, so shade disappointing he wasn't in anything like the same form when last of 6 in the Earl of Sefton at Newmarket (9f). Likely candidate to bounce back.

Form: 343-456

Forecasts

Seagulls Eleven (5/2), Persica (11/4), Boiling Point (11/2), Ice Max (6/1), Qirat (12/1), Royal Playwright (14/1), Skukuza (14/1), Chancellor (16/1)

Last year's winner PERSICA (2-2 here) left the impression his reappearance fourth in the Earl of Sefton will bring him on and, with the Richard Hannon yard in top form, he looks primed for a bold bid once again. Boiling Point was a place in front of the selection on that occasion and is feared having scored at listed level since. Stablemate Ice Max, who finished runner up 12 months ago, may emerge best of the remainder.