Tuesday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Gary Hanmer trained COSTLY DIAMOND (best priced at 3/1) has a good record at Sedgefield and the mare should prove hard to beat back at this track. The eight-year-old has form figures of 1121 at the course with her only defeat coming when beaten a neck in this race last season. 

Costly Diamond won by 2 ¼ lengths off a mark of 110 over this course and distance in September before slightly disappointing on her next two starts at Stratford and Leicester. She unseated Brian Hughes last time at Bangor but he retains the faith in her for this race and I expect her to prove hard to beat off a mark of 113. 

The Ian Williams trained MOKAATIL (best priced at 3/1) has won two out of his three starts at Epsom in his career and he should benefit from race fitness against most of his rivals in this race. The seven-year-old won a handicap over 6f here in August 2019 off a mark of 86 before winning the “Dash” at the Derby meeting last year by 1 ½ lengths off a mark of 82. 

Mokaatil has run twice so far in 2022 but those have both been without headgear fitted and connections now fit him with a tongue tie and visor (he won the Dash in a tongue tie and blinkers) as well as booking talented 7lb claimer Harry Davies for the ride. Last year’s winner Recon Mission looks the biggest danger but preference instead goes to Mokaatil following the jockey booking and the fact he is back down to a mark of 82. 

Course form is always important at Epsom and preference in this race goes to the only course and distance winner in the field which is ARENAS DEL TIEMPO (best priced at 7/2). The Simon Dow trained four-year-old won by 3 ½ lengths on her first start at the track last year off a mark of 71 before finishing a close ¾ length 2nd in September off a mark of 77. 

Arenas Del Tiempo was unlucky to be beaten a short-head at Kempton in February and she has only been raised 1lb by the handicapper for her recent 1 length 3rd at Lingfield earlier this month. She is now off a career-high mark of 83 but she looks progressive and I expect her to run well on her return to this track.