Epsom preview: Decorated Knight to dazzle in Diomed Stakes

Ground a worry for Arod

Arod was very impressive when winning this race 12 months ago and finished 1 1/4 length in front of Decorated Knight when third on return to action at Ascot.

The Peter Chapple-Hyam trained five-year-old is a very smart performer, as he showed when chasing home Solow in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood last April, and an official rating of 118 gives him 4lb and upwards in hand on his rivals.

However, Arod needs lightning fast ground to be seen at his best and he is not going to get that.

Custom Cut sure to go well

One that handles any going is Custom Cut, and he looks capable of bouncing back from a below par effort in Ireland last time out to make his presence felt.

The gelding has thrived since joining Yorkshire handler David O’Meara, and enjoyed another profitable campaign last season when bagging two Group 2 contests.

Custom Cut also ran very well when beaten just a length by Time Test in a Group 2 at Newmarket, and was far from disgraced on seasonal reappearance at Doncaster when third to Bellardo.

The seven-year-old backed that up with a solid fourth to the progressive Mahsoob in the Group 3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes and his run at Leopardstown last month was too bad to be true.

On the pick of his form Custom Cut is in with a big shout, and the son of Notnowcato is a really tough sort who looks sure to give it his best shot.

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Coral’s top tip: With the ground going against Arod, the improving Decorated Knight looks worth a wager to land the spoils. Custom Cut is a tough sort and rates a big danger on the pick of his form.