Epsom racing tips: Highland Avenue targets Diomed Stakes, Royal Dubai no forlorn hope

14:35 Epsom:  Betfred Diomed Stakes  (1 mile 4 furlongs)

With barely a single betting point covering the trio of early market leaders, any one of them could be sent off as favourite to win what the bookies have lined up as a three-horse race.

Planet Sport Bet: Bet £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if Highland Avenue wins by more than 1 length, get a £5 Free Bet!

Embesto won three of his five 2023 outings but was a well-beaten fifth of nine in the Earl of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket in April, and connections will be hoping that a first-time hood brings a return to last season’s form.

Regal Reality has won at Group 3 level in all but one of the last six seasons, but has remained winless since landing this race a year ago, and was well off the pace when third of six at Chester earlier this month.

Those two hold serious claims, but our pick of the market principals is Charlie Appleby’s Highland Avenue, who is expected to bounce back to form after an inauspicious winter campaign in the Middle East.

He was second behind Regal Reality in this renewal last year, which kickstarted a progressive season that was finally rewarded with a four-length victory in the Darley Stakes at Newmarket in October.

That was Highland Avenue's first success since bagging a hat-trick as a three-year-old in early 2021, and although not at his best at Meydan earlier this year, it would be no surprise to see William Buick inspire a return to former glories.

Suggested best bet: Highland Avenue in the 14:35 at Epsom

• Tip advised by Black Squid Tips on Tipstrr

Deeper in the betting are a few who might be quietly fancying their chances of defying their double-digit odds, and while the Osborne's Sean has garnered some early support, our each-way nod goes to apparent outsider Royal Dubai.

Last year, this four-year-old colt enjoyed a debut win in a promising first UK season that provided the platform for a successful second winter campaign in the Middle East.

A couple of wins among decent handicap company in Meydan provided another couple of steps in the right direction, and his return to Marco Botti’s in-form yard can only help his progress and development.

Even more significant is the booking of Oisin Murphy, who has already landed 72 winners this season (not to mention a further 100 places) from 317 rides, and he might just be the boost that Royal Dubai needs to make an impact here.

Outsider punt: Royal Dubai each-way in the 14:35 at Epsom

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