Investec Diomed Stakes

1.40 Epsom
Investec Diomed Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3YO plus)
Winner £36,900

Pick: The Cheka (win, each/way)

Alexandaros: Class horse at his best, with his Lockinge Stakes second the highlight of his runs last year; Has seemingly retained that form judged on his Group 2 win a Group 2 second at Meydan in Dubai and this much easier than Dubai Duty free which he raced in last time; However his stable’s form is poor and he does have a 3lbs penalty.

Beauchamp Xeres: Pulled it all together when gaining a gutsy and tenacious win in the On The House Stakes last time, despite pulling all the way; Not to be underestimated her today, especially if settling better than last time.

Bushman: Lightly raced and good sort who has always been talented and finally put it together at pattern level last time; That effort puts him in with a chance here and he might just be getting it together, as he has form strong enough to take a hand.

Harrison George: Put in a number of good handicap efforts last term and has already improved on them with 2 wins this year, the first being a handicap romp off a mark of 95 and then a tight win in Conditions company last time; Would need to improve again and did make heavy weather of it last time, but can still make his mark felt in this company.

Mabait: Typically progressive Luca Cumani handicapper who was on a winning streak until being denied in unlucky fashion in last furlong of Victoria Cup; Unfortunate to have been stuck in middle of track and to have been carrying big topweight; Was always going to be in this company sooner than later and should go well.

Ordnance Row: Back to form last time when a decent second behind Bushman at listed level; Holds some form which is perfectly strong and entitles him to take a hand but hasn’t hit those heights in last 5 runs.

Penitent: Improving handicapper who looked group class all over when landing gamble in Lincoln handicap in March; Hasn’t been seen since but fair to say he deserves a shot at this level and more to come.

The Cheka: Looked exceptional on debut as a 2 year old and has only had 3 runs since; Only seen once as a 3 year old, getting better of very useful horse in Ashram here in Conditions Stakes; Ran a very promising race in Bet365 Mile but was a little disappointing in Lockinge last time; Was given a lot to do then and that effort still sets the standard here so major chance.

Classic Colori: Showed a lot of promise as a 2 year old (may have been well beaten in Group 3 but faced very different conditions); Made a nice reappearance In Lingfield listed race but probably didn’t run to that standard when fourth next time despite carrying an 8lbs penalty; Last in French Guineas, this much easier and another one who should go well.

VERDICT: A fiercely contested race where anything could win. Seeing as the last 2 runs of his set the standard, THE CHEKA is suggested to gain a third career win and open is account as a four year old. Next best for me are the progressive handicappers Mabait, who was always going to be seen at this level, and Penitent, for whom the booking of Johnny Murtagh suggests that the connections mean buisness.