Shoemark confident Almaqam can shine at Ascot

Kieran Shoemark expects a more mature and polished Almaqam to play a leading role in Saturday’s star-studded Qatar Racing Champion Stakes at Ascot.

Ed Walker’s stable star has always been a high-class operator but has arguably taken his form to the next level this term, registering a maiden Group One triumph in Ireland in May and only narrowly failing to supplement that when edged out by Item in the Juddmonte International at York.

Fourth in the Irish Champion Stakes when last seen, he now returns to the race he was a gallant third in behind the reopposing Calandagan and Ombudsman last year, with the colt’s big-race pilot intrigued to see if he can enhance that finishing position and end a fine campaign on a high.

Shoemark said: “I was hoping there might have been a bit more juice in the ground as that might have scared off Ombudsman and Calandagan, but I’m looking forward to getting on him and I think he’s a better horse than when he was third last year.

“That’s a credit to Ed minding him and he’s thriving as a five-year-old. He likes Ascot and we know the course suits him so ultimately I’m looking forward to it.

“He’s fresh and well, and his work has been good. Leopardstown probably wasn’t the ideal track for him, but Ascot will suit him better.”

Shoemark will also be aboard his Royal Ascot hero Ten Bob Tony for Walker in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes as the five-year-old returns to the scene of his Queen Anne Stakes triumph in the summer.

Since that 50-1 surprise victory, he has performed with credit in a plethora of top-level assignments and as such his odds are much shorter as he returns to Berkshire with his profile still climbing.

“Arguably at the beginning of the year you could say he was a Group Three horse at best and all he’s done since winning the Queen Anne is back it up. He’s racked up some placed efforts in Group Ones and been narrowly defeated in a Moulin,” Shoemark said.

“It’s proper form and he’s a top-class older miler now.

“It’s surprised everybody but he’s top quality and he has a win and you’re in for the Breeders’ Cup as well, so that could also be on the table (after this).”