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.'
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The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Five Derby horses who will love soft ground with ‘a hell of a lot of rain' set to hit Epsom ahead of £1.5m race
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Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
Epsom Derby runners and riders: Marcus Armytage's guide for 2025
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Lambourn, Aidan O'Brien's third string, has drawn the 'lucky' stall 10 where 10 previous winners have been launched from since starting stalls first introduced in 1967. The Dante winner Pride of Arras is two wider than Delacroix in stall 16. Ruling Court, the 2,000 Guineas winner who is vying for favouritism with Delacroix, has the best draw of the fancied runners in stall seven. Puppet Master, a fourth Ballydoyle runner, was the only one of the 20 five-day confirmations not to go forward to Saturday's race at the new 72-hour stage. The ground, after the longest dry spring in over 30 years, is expected to be good, the weather over the two day Festival expected to be showery. Derby 2025: confirmed runners and riders Delacroix 5/2F Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Smartish two-year-old who beat Stanhope Gardens in the Autumn Stakes. Better three-year-old winning both his trials at Leopardstown comfortably beating Lambourn and Tennessee Stud in those. 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Had little more than a racecourse gallop in a three runner race at Salisbury a fortnight ago which should have blown the cobwebs away. If there's a double figure odds winner, he is the most likely. Nightwalker 40/1 Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Jockey: Tom Marquand Well behind Delacroix when they met at two. Blew the start in the Dante but was doing his best work at the finish in fifth. Hard to see him making a huge impact round here and probably owes his less than generous price (20/1) to his connections. Dam did not get a yard beyond six furlongs but was a half-sister to a St Leger winner – work that one out. Tennessee Stud 33/1 Trainer: Joseph O'Brien Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle Flat, jump, Ireland, the UK or Australia it makes no odds to his young trainer. A Group One winner at two – the one thing this Derby lacks – in the mud, he has a lot of ground to make up on Delacroix on their last start. Needs rain. Tornado Alert 50/1 Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor Jockey: Oisin Murphy Fourth in the Guineas wins the Derby, goes the old saying. I think he will be treading water in the last quarter mile, but his trainer – who won this with Lammtarra in 1995, six years before the first of Aidan O'Brien's 10 – is keen. New Ground 40/1 Trainer: Henri-Francois Devin Jockey: Alexis Pouchin French runner also supplemented on Monday. Appears to like some cut in the ground so might be praying for rain. Horse that beat him by a length in April was runner-up in French Derby on Sunday. By the same sire as Pride of Arras, should improve for trip and owners would not just be running for social outing so quietly respected without looking the likely winner. Tuscan Hills 70/1 Trainer: Raphael Freire Jockey: David Egan Unbeaten in two starts at two but only seventh behind Pride of Arras in the Dante. Obviously he is entitled to come on for that but he has a lot to find. 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Green Storm 200/1 Trainer: Charlie Johnston Jockey: Billy Loughnane Cost a snip at 12,000gns as a yearling but only one win from six starts puts him in here at 100-1. Does not have the pedigree nor the form to cause an Epsom upset and become the first Yorkshire trained winner since Dante in 1946. Any major influence on the race is likely to be getting in the way of something better. Sea Scout 200/1 Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford Jockey: Harry Davies Won the Epsom trial but put pretty firmly in his place in the Dante without any real excuse. Had already proven he can handle the track which is one thing but the Epsom trial does not have a great record at producing Derby winners in the modern era. Nightime Dancer 200/1 Trainer: Richard Hannon Jockey: Sean Levey No match for two Ballydoyle runners in the Lingfield trial including Puppet Master. Trip should be fine but not good enough although there is invariably a big long shot who finishes in the money. Rogue Impact 300/1 Trainer: James Owen Jockey: Luke Morris Beat Al Wasl Storm in a maiden on the all-weather, but 10 lengths behind Puppet Master in the Lingfield Trial getting very lit up in the race. Even if he handles the occasion, it is unlikely Luke Morris will be able to add this to his Arc win on Alborada.
Daily Mail
14 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Aidan O'Brien praises Ryan Moore as magical jockey targets a Classic double at Epsom after winning the oaks with Minnie Hauk
They had been here before, many times over. This was another Group One, pushing them closer to the magical figure of 150 as a partnership. Aidan O'Brien had just seen Ryan Moore deliver Minnie Hauk to a thrilling victory in the Oaks, edging out her stablemate Whirl in a driving finish. O'Brien's reaction, however, had a different tone. 'Thank you,' O'Brien said to his jockey. 'You made it happen.' It was no over embellishment. Moore might have been riding a filly that, according to O'Brien, had made 'abnormal improvement' since she her warm-up win at Chester last month, but he still needed all his wizardry to get her head in front when it mattered. Moore is riding in a magical zone that makes you think of peak Kevin De Bruyne at Manchester City. It was a wonderful display, coming hot on the heels of a mighty ride on Jan Brueghel in the Coronation Cup. 'He is a great fella, no ego at all,' said O'Brien. 'He's incredible, really. He can carry horses and he carried them over the line in the last furlong. The filly is very classy and she will be comfortable in all the top races.' Given the way O'Brien spoke, you immediately started to think Minnie Hauk will be a huge player in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. 'We won't look too far ahead,' said O'Brien, with a relieved puff of the cheeks. 'Let's just make sure we wake up in the morning.'
