Almaqam makes most of Brigadier Gerard opportunity
The Ed Walker-trained colt has mixed it in smart company since winning the Heron Stakes on this card 12 months – crossing swords with the likes of Economics – and when last seen he was a touch unlucky when third over this course and distance in the Gordon Richards Stakes.
Ryan Moore and the previously unbeaten Ombudsman threw down their challenge inside the final-quarter mile, but Almaqam (7-4) 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.
He added: 'I always thought the Champion Stakes rather than the Arc would be the ideal target, but I stuck him in the Arc because Ryan Moore mentioned last year about a mile and a half and now Oisin (Murphy) has said the same, but he's versatile.
'I think ground is absolutely key and I think it is hard to know exactly what to do with him in the summer, but good ground is as quick as it wants to be.
'The ground would be a worry at Royal Ascot, but he won't need to do a huge amount between now and then so we will keep an eye on it.'
Meanwhile Thady Gosden was pleased with the performance of the runner-up, who unlike the winner is likely to head to the Royal meeting.
He said: 'It was a very pleasing run and it was his first outing for 263 days and he was giving 3lb as well to the winner.
'He was a little fresh early on, but then settled well and quickened up nicely in the straight. He's been beaten by a very nice horse so that was very pleasing first time back.
'Hopefully he comes out of this well and we can look forward to the Royal meeting. He has an entry in the Prince of Wales's Stakes and there is also the other mile-and-a-quarter races, so we'll see how he comes out of it and how the races are looking and go from there.'
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