Diamond to glitter once more at Leopardstown, says Jason Heavey

The Daily Star’s chief tipster Jason Heavey thinks a Breeders’ Cup hero can return to form at Leopardstown on Thursday

CLASS is permanent and ETHICAL DIAMOND (6.35) should show that in the Group Three Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday evening.

The six-year-old, trained by the great Willie Mullins, enjoyed a terrific 2025.

He won all three of his starts then, namely the Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot, the Ebor at York, and the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar.

Although he’s not been at his best on either start this year, expect him to resume winning ways, particularly as he’s coming down in class.

At Newmarket, James Owen can underline his status as the pre-eminent dual-purpose trainer by winning the Knight Frank Eastern Counties Handicap with his Summer Hurdle winner HIGH FIBRE (4.33, nb).

Back on the Flat at York over a mile and a half last month, he teed himself up for what is probably his big aim with a third-place finish.

He runs off the same mark here over two miles and as this is just his third run for the yard, there is likely more to come.

Earlier at HQ, EMERALD BAY (2.55, nap) is strongly fancied in the Knight Frank Suffolk Heritage Handicap.

The juvenile in the care of George Scott showed improved form when making a successful nursery debut at Beverley last month when upped to 7f and fitted with cheekpieces.

The son of Bayside Boy then followed up at Leicester 10 days later and with this extra furlong today promising to suit, he looks difficult to stop in his hat-trick bid.

Another hoping to complete a treble is Gary and Josh Moore’s BOHEMIAN BREEZE (4.25, trb) in the JenningsBet In Basingstoke Brighton Challenge Cup Handicap.

A winner by a neck in early June off 55 at the south coast track, he defied a 5lb rise with ease when returning there three weeks later.

The six-year-old goes up another 4lb today but that looks very fair and Tom Queally seems to get a great tune out of him.

Thursday tips

LEOPARDSTOWN

4.50 Jesus Green

5.25 Magnum Cor

6.00 Isaac Newton

6.35 Ethical Diamond

7.10 Draiocht

7.45 Stepdance

8.20 Miss Gitana

BRIGHTON

2.38 Barnsnape Boy

3.13 The Monkey King

3.50 Boubyan

4.25 Bohemian Breeze (trb)

4.55 Foinix

5.30 Dion Baker

NEWMARKET

2.20 Home Hero

2.55 Emerald Bay (nap)

3.30 Fast Performer

4.00 Cerro Blanco

4.33 High Fibre (nb)

5.08 Educator

SOUTHWELL

5.04 Distillation

5.34 Starakova

6.06 Ravishing Beauty

6.41 Bullrider

7.16 Ziggy’s Condor

7.51 Spirit Of Jenny

8.26 Ultrasoul

9.00 Luan

SANDOWN

5.00 What’s The Plan

5.38 Catching Dreams

6.13 Crown Ranger

6.48 Interstate

7.23 Desert Shadow

7.58 Kodi Fire

CHEPSTOW

5.20 Virtue Diligence

5.55 Downonmainstreet

6.30 Rogue Bullet

7.05 Nakaaha

7.40 Jackabi

8.15 Hallandale Beach

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