Deauville calling for progressive Almeraq

Impressive recent Ayr winner Almeraq could head to France next weekend for the Listed Prix Moonlight Cloud at Deauville.

The lightly-raced William Haggas-trained colt bolted up in Scotland, winning an Ayr Gold Cup trial by five lengths.

Given how impressive he was a hefty rise in the weights was on the cards and he has been put up a stone by the assessor.

Haggas now holds Group-race aspirations for the Shadwell-owned three-year-old, but a tilt at the Ayr Gold Cup next month has not been ruled out.

“We’ve put him in a Listed race at Deauville, so that is a possibility,” said Haggas.

“He went up 14lb for his win the other day so he will get in the Ayr Gold Cup now.

“I’ll put him in it. We hope that he’s going to reach dizzier heights than that at some point at this stage.”