Diomed 2024

Stoute, Appleby and Cole’s stables are now in very good form. So there is at least some good reason to believe one or more of Regal Reality, Highland Avenue and Royal Scotsman could come back to form.
But Regal Reality’s may be a bit flattered by his Earl Of Sefton 4th – and if so then at 9 could be on the downgrade, can be slowly away (as last time at Chester) and doesn’t have a good win to run ratio for a horse of his ability. Last comments apply to Highland Avenue too, who has been in poor form in Meydan over our Winter. That said, those two were first and second in this last year.
Royal Dubai – back to Marco from Lucie Botti – has been in good form in Dubai. Could be an interesting outsider if able to continue his progress… But is so far only a handicapper.
With the stable now firing could see a better performance by Royal Scotsman than in the Lockinge, but has had physical problems since his best form and – dropped out – needs everything to go his way. Not sure the extra 113 yards are in his favour either.
Epictetus has one stand out figure at Goodwood on soft going. Maybe he needs an undulating track with give? But has since been disappointing and gelded, with cheek pieces tried again here. Squiggle coming?
Sean and Silver Word’s form seems established as not good enough to win a race of this nature. If some others are below form then place prospects perhaps…
That leads to Embesto. Winner (dead heated) of Salisbury’s best race the Sovereign last year and very consistent before seemingly a bit disappointing on reappearance last time out. However, was held up that day (can be ridden prominently) on a day where a strong tailwind meant pretty much all the races favoured pace horses. Possibly a more prominent ride coming with first time hood. Did best of those held up in the Earl Of Sefton. Regal Reality flattered by making the running there, 3 1/4 lengths ahead of him. Going is a slight worry, but Salisbury was good and 2 1/2 lengths 4th in the Daniel Wildenstein (Group 2) officially good-soft. His action suggests going on the soft side should not be a problem.

With serious doubts about the others I’ve done Embesto Each Way. Would surprise me if he was out of the first three.

I lost, but it’s great to see the Coles get Royal Scotsman back to his best, after all the horse’s physical problems.