Epsom Diomed Stakes Preview

The John Gosden-trained Gregorian has not quite fulfilled the promise of his excellent run behind Most Improved at Royal Ascot last year. He followed that run with another superb effort to finish second in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly and would have a major chance if reproducing that form here.

Roger Varian’s Sri Putra is now seven years of age and has competed at the highest level. He was placed in the Coral Eclipse Stakes in 2010 and 2011 and beat the useful Afsare at York last season in a Group 2. He still comes out top on official ratings in this field and it will be interesting to see whether he can maintain his form for another season.

The early favourite for this race is Gabrial, a brilliant but enigmatic performer trained by Richard Fahey. He was gelded after his three-year-old career and was impressive when winning the Doncaster Mile first time out. However, he showed his tendency to hang when only third at Chester last time and it will require all of Jamie Spencer’s skill to get him home in front on this tricky course.

Penitent landed a major gamble when winning the Lincoln for William Haggas in 2010 and has subsequently shown himself to be better than a handicapper. Now in the care of David O’Meara, he won a good Group 2 at Newmarket last season before finishing second in the Group 1 Prix De La Foret at Longchamp.

Richard Hannon’s Producer is an interesting contender having won on all four previous visits to Epsom. He also showed himself in good form when beating Aljamaaheer by a head at Leicester.

Tales Of Grimm will need to improve to take this but Sir Michael Stoute does not keep older horses in training unless he believes they are up to group race standard. Custom Cut stepped out of handicap company to win the Group 3 Gladness Stakes at the Curragh in April. He showed that was no fluke when chasing home Duntle at Leopardstown last time out.