Investec Diomed Stakes 2012

2.50 Epsom

Investec Diomed Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £31,190

Advice: 1 pt win Worthadd (11/10 general)

Macret: Consistent in Italy (10 time winner) and ran really well on his first start for the yard when third in the Al Rashidiya; Not really found same form since in either Al Fahdid or handicap off 108 but excellent start to life in UK when winning Chester Group 3 latest and should be respected here even if this places a greater demand on his speed.

Worthadd: Top class Italian horse (their Derby winner of 2010) and second in last year’s Lockinge before winning Group 2 easily at San Siro; Disappointed for previous yard but comfortable winner in race he was entitled to take with something in hand

Dance And Dance: Much improved last year, winning valuable C&D handicap before luckless runs in C&D handicap and then Hunt Cup at Ascot/Goodwood Mile; Proved he was a group horse when second to Side Glance (lot of ground to make up) and when running in America; Not happened for him in UAE but we know he’s better than that and interesting.

Mac Love: Winner of this in 2009 and not beaten far last year in fifth, and still has plenty to offer even at this level; That said, likely to find one or two too good and has to be taken into account

Side Glance: Would have very good claims on his third in the Summer Mile and Listed win last year but not found the same form; Likely that she’ll be as fit as he’s been this season for this race so can’t be dismissed but form coming into this is worrying.

St Moritz: Run of race when second in this last year but effort when second to Penitent (DQ’d and put down into third) is working out rather well now, despite form questions over winner’s BET365 Mile win; Not hard to fancy at all if one’s so inclined although Side Glance surely in better form now.

VERDICT: WORTHADD is the best of these based on his Newbury second to Canford Cliffs  a year ago and while he might not get his own way in front, he deserves a lot of respect and is clearly the one to beat here with a nice seasonal reappearance behind his belt. If he’s not upto scratch, then Dance And Dance may be the one to trouble him over Side Glance, with Macret another fairly priced contender if able to step up on his UK debut form.