Momtic ready for war

Connections of Momtic hope to turn the tables on Home Affairs when the pair meet in the Group Three Vodafone Diomed Stakes on Saturday.

The progressive five-year-old from William Jarvis’ Newmarket yard ran second to Home Affairs in the Listed Royal Windsor Stakes last month.

But Jarvis is hoping that Momtic’s liking for Epsom will be a “plus” when the son of Shinko Forest bids for his first triumph in Pattern company.

The Newmarket-based trainer told www.williamjarvis.com: “I’m looking forward to Momtic having his third start of the season.

“We will again be taking on Home Affairs, which appears a tough assignment. The formbook suggests that we shouldn’t beat him, but we can point to the Epsom factor as a positive for Momtic.

“He won the extended mile handicap there on Oaks day last year under Kieren Fallon, who renews his acquaintance with the horse on Saturday.

“Looking at the ground, I’m pleased that it seems to be drying out, so it seems as if the surface won’t hold any concerns for us.”