Almaqam makes all for Brigadier Gerard win

Almaqam, trained by Ed Walker, delivered a commanding performance to secure victory in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown yesterday, marking a significant milestone in his racing career. Ridden by Oisin Murphy, the four-year-old colt showcased his class over the 1m2f distance to triumph convincingly.

Ryan Moore and the previously unbeaten Ombudsman threw down their challenge inside the final-quarter mile, but Almaqam never really looked like folding and kept on strongly to triumph by a length and three-quarters from the 5-4 favourite.

“It was a big day for him and my team and myself and we all believe a lot in this horse,” said Walker after once again seeing his star performer thrive in Esher.

“I have not held back how much I think of him and you could tee yourself up for a big fall. We skipped a couple of Group Ones last weekend to come here and get the job done and back winning and thank god he did.

“He has got a great attitude and funnily enough last year we had him in a lip chain for the prelims and this year we have took it off and he’s just asleep and so laid back.

“I think that’s what got him beat here last time as he was so relaxed and thought he was on his winter holidays and just flopped out the gates and flopped round and didn’t really help Tom Marquand out.

“He’s definitely sharpened up for that run at home. I was really worried when I saw the soft ground horses coming out this morning and the good to firm in the description made me nervous. But I walked the track and it’s beautiful good ground I think.

“When the Gosden horse loomed up I thought we were cooked, but he’s tough and stays well.”

Walker was keen to stress the important role ground conditions play for the son of Lope de Vega, with the prospect of quick going making a Royal Ascot tilt at the Prince of Wales’s Stakes unlikely.

The Lambourn handler is now toying where to head throughout the summer months with his high-class performer, who holds an entry for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October.