3 minute read

Ryan Moore proved once again why he was the best about when expertly steering Persica to land the Group 3 Betfred Diomed Stakes at Epsom.

A winner in handicap company off a mark of 92 on this card twelve months ago, Richard Hannon's four-year-old has progressed through the ranks since, scoring at Listed level at Ayr last season and claiming Group 3 honours in the bet365 Earl Of Sefton Stakes on his second start of the year at Newmarket in April.

Back in calmer waters with some ease in the ground after finishing last of eight in a red-hot renewal of the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last month, Persica was sent off the well-backed 6/4 market leaders to double his tally for the season.

Always well-positioned under Ryan Moore, the son of New Bay made eye-catching headway towards the centre of the track passing the three marker before striking the front in the final 100 yards. Ice Max did his best to battle back in the closing stages, but he ultimately couldn't get on terms with the winner, who went on to score by three quarters of a length.

Hannon said: "He's one of those horses who's a pleasure to turn up to the races with and he's a good-looking horse who belongs to the right people and he has a chance in any race,"

"Knowing his owners they'll be thinking Japan Cup and Breeders' Cup and something in Australia. But being honest we've always been happy to ply our trade around this level. We might make the occasional jump up on the back of this which I think makes sense, but he has a chance in any race if he gets his ground.

"Ryan said he struggled going down the hill a bit, but I didn't have the guts to tell him he had been here last year and won!"

Harry Eustace was once again left frustrated by Docklands, who was forced to switch round rivals before running on strongly to be beaten three quarters of a length into third.

Eustace said: "It's frustrating because he's just at that level where everything has to go absolutely right for him and it just didn't quite go right.

"He just got in a pocket, and he doesn't quicken - he lengthens. The winner and the German horse just kept us in a bit longer than Richard (Kingscote) would have wanted, but I can't give any real excuses as they've obviously gone a nice fair gallop and everyone's had a chance."

Despite being beaten on his second outing of the season in Group 3 company, Docklands remains fully on course for a return to Royal Ascot to take on the big guns in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes.

Eustace added: "He's a legend of a hose for us and that's another good run. He'll definitely go back to Ascot for the Queen Anne [second last year] as that's always been the plan, but this year it's a much deeper race than last year.

"It's nigh on the race of the week and he'll go there sort of 20/1, but he loves the track. He could run his absolute guts out and finish fourth."