Diamond Stakes Tips & Betting Preview

The Group 3 Diamond Stakes has been won by some top class horses in the past included Mastercraftsman back in 2009, and our tip is for A P O’Brien to win this for the 4^th time in the last 7 years with LONG ISLAND SOUND. Highly tried this summer at Royal Ascot in the United States, he ran admirably and should get his first Group win here. Tennessee Wildcat brings plenty of experience while Cruiseliner is one to watch in the market on her first start in over a year following some good wins in Brazil.

1 BATTALION – Dual Listed winner but that has generally appeared to be his level, although he has placed third in two of the three Group 3s he has contested. Won the Coral Conditions Stakes at Lingfield last December but out of form since and would need a career best run to win this.

2 HAWKE – One of two Course & Distance winners in the field, that win came in August on his first start for J P Murtagh having been transferred from France where he won just one of his 12 starts (including an unsuccessful trip to Lingfield). That handicap win came off 94 and hard to see him being good enough to win this at this stage in his career.

3 TENNESSEE WILDCAT – Refound his form of old this season following a year off with a second in a Listed race at Leopardstown and another 2^nd to Qatari Hunter (who he faces here again) off a mark of 100. Was possibly hampered in running on his last start in the Group 3 Meld Stakes but will struggle here on these terms against up and coming rivals.

4 CRUISELINER – Trained in Brazil for her 8 starts so far, this lightly raced mare has won two Group 1s at Gavea but worth noting these only carried a total of £24,000 in winning prize money. Not seen on the track for over a year since being sold and moved to Takashi Kodama who trains in County Kildare. Thrown in deep for her first start and worth watching in the market.

5 POITIN – 5 wins from 14 starts at Dundalk, but rated just 84 on the All Weather – that a career high – and should be outclassed at long odds here.

6 LONG ISLAND SOUND – Receives weight from all his main competitors bar Qatari Hunter and with powerful connections who will be hoping for a first win in Group company. Third at Royal Ascot in June over this distance but wanted better ground which he had when running well in Group 1s in America this summer. Has been found a solid opportunity and should win with his first time visor to help.

7 QATARI HUNTER – 4 wins from his 7 starts so far, and improved yet again when finished fourth in the Group 3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood when last seen. Drops back in trip slightly here despite staying on there but has run well at Dundalk previously (3^rd of 7 in a Maiden). Will need to step on again to beat the A P O’Brien horse though who could be a class above.

8 REMARKABLE LADY – 1 win from 15 and despite running well enough at Leopardstown in a 2 year old Listed race could only manage 6^th of 7. Rated just 75 and even off bottom weight here is up against it having been beaten nearly 20 lengths at Galway in a Listed race over 12 furlongs last time out.