Ed Walker targets Prix Foy with Almaqam

Ed Walker is hopeful his patience can be rewarded when Almaqam puts his Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe credentials to the test in the Prix Foy next month.

Held in the highest regard by his team, the dry summer and fast ground has rather curtailed the four-year-old’s progress since his impressive win over Ombudsman in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes back in May.

While that Sandown rival has gone on to contest – and win – some of the summer’s highest profile middle-distance events, Almaqam has only been seen the once since, finishing second to Royal Champion when a beaten favourite at York last month.

However, Walker is content to sit and wait for the right opportunity for his star colt to advertise his quality on his preferred going, now eyeing a move up to a mile and a half at ParisLongchamp on September 7 which could prove the catalyst for an exciting Arc tilt later in the autumn.

“He’s bouncing but it’s just a bit frustrating again that we can’t get him out and we’re just being patient and waiting for some soft ground,” said Walker.

“The plan at the moment is the Prix Foy and that will tell us if we’re going to have a crack at the Arc or not or head for the Champion Stakes.”

He went on: “I’m not sure if the ground may have caught him out at York last time really, as it was a very good performance from the winner. Probably the slightly drying ground and slick track just didn’t play to his strengths.

“He’s a hard horse to beat on soft ground so we just have to be patient.”

Almaqam is currently a best price of 50-1 for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, with odds of 16-1 available for the Qipco Champion Stakes on British Champions Day.