Seagulls Eleven strikes for Brighton footballers in Diomed

Seagulls Eleven swooped late to edge a thrilling finish to the Betfred Diomed Stakes at Epsom.

Hugo Palmer’s four-year-old – who is owned by a collection of footballers including the recently-retired James Milner and his former Brighton & Hove Albion teammates Danny Welbeck and Lewis Dunk – has shown a liking for an undulating track in the past and was backed into 5-2 favourite prior to the Group Three event following victory in France only 12 days ago.

Oisin Murphy had Seagulls Eleven hot on the heels of the front-running Boiling Point in the early stages and rounding Tattenham Corner, but entering the straight he edged his mount to the front, leading the field towards the stands rail where the telling action would unfold.

Last year’s winner Persica emerged on the scene to put down what looked a winning challenge under Sean Levey, but Seagulls Eleven would not give in and managed to claw back a nose advantage in the final stride.