Conditions key to autumn target for Almaqam

Ground conditions will dictate where Almaqam is seen next after his third-placed run in the Prix Foy on Sunday.

Ed Walker’s Brigadier Gerard winner has a known preference for softer going, something that has been hard to find during a notably dry summer.

He encountered good to soft at ParisLongchamp over the weekend when stepping up to a mile and a half for the first time, where he was third at Group Two level under William Buick.

The race is a trial for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October, with the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot also an option later the same month and the state of the ground likely to be the deciding factor.

“We felt he got the trip well, which is very encouraging and opens up options for him,” said Walker.

“The ground was probably still not soft enough for him. It was perfectly acceptable but I think the world knows that Almaqam is at his most dangerous on soft ground.

“There were loads of positives, he’s a big horse who hasn’t been busy this year and we’ve not really been able to train him on grass.

“I do think he’ll improve in terms of fitness and condition for the run.

“I’ll have to speak to the team but expect wherever there is soft ground, that’s where we’ll run.

“If it’s soft ground for the Arc we’ll run there, if not we’ll wait for the Champion Stakes and hope it’s soft there.

“We want him to have one proper run on soft ground this year, it’s been frustrating for him as he hasn’t had his ideal conditions once.

“Let’s hope that he shines on his last start of the year and his first start on his ground.”