Star Sports Brigadier Gerard Stakes: runner-by-runner guide and tip

Trainer: John and Thady Gosden. Jockey: Ryan Moore. Odds: 2-1.

Was sent off at chunky odds when winning a strong novice stakes on his belated debut at Newmarket last year, which suggested the experience would be needed, and progressed nicely throughout the season to remain unbeaten. 

Among his four victories was a Listed plus a Group Three prize, and connections stressed it was “all about next year” for their exciting Night Of Thunder colt. 

His win in the Prix du Prince d'Orange on his final outing was impressive, despite the narrow winning margin, considering the ground was probably against him, and a slow pace did not help his cause. 

He relished this trip last season, and the ground will also be in his favour, while Ryan Moore is obviously a positive jockey booking.This four-year-old has the potential to develop into a Group One performer this season, although the lack of a recent run against race-fit rivals is a negative, and another step forward is required to strike here.

Trainer: Richard Hannon. Jockey: Sean Levey. Odds: 20-1.

Produced a huge chunk of improvement during a busy campaign last season and was successful over this course and distance in a strong handicap en route to winning a Listed contest at Ayr. 

He fared creditably on his first outing in a Group Three prior to that, and it was no surprise he was outclassed on his final start in the Champion Stakes, which was his eighth run of the year, plus ten furlongs on testing ground appeared to stretch his stamina. 

His victory in the bet365 Earl Of Sefton in April suggested he has taken another step forward this season, and may have found conditions too quick when last in the BoyleSports Lockinge when last seen. 

Better can be expected back in calmer waters now, and further improvement would give him each-way claims here, providing the ground is not too quick (connections believe he is best with some give underfoot). 

Trainer: Mohammed Hamad Al-Attiya. Jockey: Szczepan Mazur. Odds: 66-1.

This four-year-old began his career in Ireland for Joseph O’Brien before he joined his current connections and has proved a consistent performer overall in Qatar. 

He did contest three races in Britain last year – all in handicaps - but failed to record a victory over trips that were probably short of his best and has improved for stepping up to an extended ten furlongs during a winter campaign in Qatar since. 

His fourth in the Qatar Derby in December was a good effort plus he defeated the 111-rated Haunted Dream on his next outing.The ground should also be ideal here. 

However, the fact Aafoor failed to produce his best in Britain when last seen is a concern, and this is a strong Group Three contest, so it will be a shock if he is good enough to score, even if he shows his best form. 

Trainer: Ed Walker. Jockey: Oisin Murphy. Odds: 11-4.

Looked a potential Group One performer in the making when winning the Star Sports Heron Stakes on this card last year, and performed with credit in Group contests afterwards, all over ten furlongs, including when a narrow second in the Qatar Prix Dollar. 

 Those efforts are some of the strongest pieces of form on offer here, and he is also the one to beat on ratings. He’s also entitled to strip fitter for his encouraging effort in the bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes over this course and distance on his return where he was a shade unfortunate not to finish second when encountering traffic problems. 

The form of that race has worked out well, with See The Fire bolting up at York on her next outing, and Almaqan should have more to offer with just seven starts under his belt. Oisin Murphy has a 24 per cent strike-rate riding for Ed Walker, and is aboard the four-year-old for the first time here, plus there are no ground concerns, so a big run is on the cards.

Trainer: Charlie Appleby. Jockey: James Doyle. Odds: 11-1.

Landed the Group One Futurity Trophy as a two-year-old and was sent off the 7-4 favourite for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes the following season. He was also a strong fancy for the Betfred Derby, but could only manage eighth, and it is probably fair to say he hasn’t quite scaled the heights expected after a glittering first season. 

He finished third in a German Group One in November, and had excuses on his return at Newbury this season where the ground went against him. His latest effort, when dropping back to ten furlongs over this course and distance, was a step in the right direction, and holds each-way claims if reproducing that effort.Will the ground be too quick for him here? That is a question mark as he is best with give underfoot, and William Buick opting to ride stablemate Military Order is another negative. He also has work to do to defeat Elmaqam, who lacked race fitness when a place behind him at Sandown, this time.

Trainer: Karl Burke. Jockey: Pierre-Louis Jamin. Odds: 14-1.

Won a couple of valuable handicaps, and a Listed contest, during his first season with Karl Burke last year, and it was no surprise connections targeted a couple of Group races with him. 

He failed to land a blow on both of those outings (the ground was too quick for him at Royal Ascot) and he appeared to lack race fitness on his return at Chester in the G2 Ire-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Huxley Stakes.

That run is sure to have blown the cobwebs away, and he deserves another chance at this level. He's also the pace angle here, and his draw in stall two should allow him to secure the lead. 

The biggest negative here, though, is the ground as he has produced his best performances on soft, and needs to improve on what he has shown so far to be competitive. 

Expect him to be declared a non-runner if no rain arrives.

Trainer: Charles Hills. Jockey: Jason Watson. Odds: 16-1.

Contested the St James's Palace Stakes on his fourth start in 2023 (where he suffered major traffic problems) having won his first three outings, and endured a lengthy absence prior to landing a handicap at this track on his belated return last year.

Fourth in a Group Three was his best performance in four starts after that, however, and he did not progress as expected. 

Connections opted to give him a wind op and geld him over the winter, and that looks to have had a positive effect based on his effort in a strong renewal of the bet365 Mile at Sandown in April. 

The five-year-old stayed on in eye-catching style to finish third there behind Dancing Gemini and Tamfana having been held up, and stepping up to ten furlongs looks a positive move, despite his breeding suggesting it may be a hinderance. 

If this new trip does unlock further improvement, then a case can certainly be made for him on his latest effort. 

Trainer: Roger Varian. Jockey: Jim Crowley. Odds: 11-1.

Took a big step forward following a gelding operation last year when successful in two decent handicaps, including the valuable John Smith's Cup, and was a shade unlucky not to complete a hat-trick at Goodwood.

Stepping into Group company halted his progression after those efforts, and he was narrowly denied in a Listed contest, when attempting to concede 5lb to Perisca, on his final outing last season.

It is still early days for Roger Varian's charge, and while his past two efforts suggest he has work to do here, he remains lightly-raced on turf, and the ratings suggest he doesn't have a huge amount to find. 

If he can progress again, then he could be in the mix, especially as he's two from two following an absence of 229-plus days, although those victories came in much weaker contests than this, and Varian has said Enfjaar is likely to strip fitter for the outing.

Trainer: Charlie Appleby. Jockey: William Buick. Odds: 5-1.

He's the choice of William Buick, which is noteworthy, and the leading rider was impressed with his recent victory at Kempton where Military Order bounced back to form on his first start for over a year. 

The bounce factor is, of course, a worry here, and his best efforts on turf have been with some cut in the ground, so connections will be on weather watch. 

His best form makes him a leading player, and his defeat of Lord North at Southwell last year was a classy performance. It is also worth noting he was sent off at 9-2 for the 2023 Betfred Derby, so has always been held in the highest regard by connections, but has not been the easiest to train. 

This five-year-old looks a leading contender for the in-form Godolphin team, despite a wide draw, and will hopefully make up for lost time this season.

Trainer: George Scott. Jockey: Callum Shepherd. Odds: 33-1.

Enjoyed a successful campaign in Bahrain at the start of 2025 having scored at Listed level, as well as  producing some good efforts in Group company, last year during his first season with George Scott.

A mile at Ascot when last seen was probably a shade sharp for him, and that should have set him up nicely for a return to Group company.

He is vulnerable to an improver here, though, and will need a few of the leading protagonists to underperform for him to claim Star Sports Brigadier Gerard glory.

A competitive renewal of the Star Sports Brigadier Gerard Stakes, and plenty you can make cases for. However, ALMAQAM looks to hold the strongest credentials following his eye-catching return over this course and distance last time out, and he still has the potential to develop into a Group One performer.

Ed Walker holds his four-year-old in the highest regard, and he already has form next to his name that is strong enough to score here. The likelihood of further progression could make him hard to beat, with the favourite, and equally as exciting, Ombudsman lacking a recent run. 

Cicero's Gift also caught the eye in a strong race at Sandown over a mile last time and holds decent each-way claims if staying this new trip, so if you're looking at backing one at a bigger price, he is the one I would suggest.

Enjoy all the action on Star Sports Brigadier Gerard Evening live on Racing TV.