Walker already has going concerns for Almaqam

Ed Walker is already having to keep an eye on the weather as he attempts to determine the ideal starting point for star performer Almaqam.

The unusually dry spring curtailed any hopes of the Champion Stakes third reappearing in the Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown, with the Lambourn handler now looking at Group One targets in both France and Ireland for the five-year-old, who is still seeking an elusive strike at the highest level.

Walker said: “We know he’s a Group One horse and we kind of felt what is the point and not to undermine the Gordon Richards – as much as I wanted to blow the cobwebs away – why risk it on ground that might be unsuitably fast.

“If it was a Group One on that ground we might have had a go, but it wasn’t and it’s a long season. It’s just incredibly frustrating that we are already worrying about ground in April, it’s heartbreaking really.

“The Ganay was an option, but it would have been a case of supplementing and we knew the forecast was dry there so decided against it.

“The Prix d’Ispahan (Prix Aga Khan IV) or Tattersalls Gold Cup would be the next options for him and it’s just a case of monitoring it and seeing where has the most suitable ground.

“It’s heartbreaking as he’s the highest-rated horse we’ve ever had (122) but he hasn’t won a Group One and we can’t run him. Last year was so frustrating and this year has started the same.”

Although Almaqam has yet to be seen, it has been a fine start to the new turf campaign for Walker, who has reason to be excited over the future prospects of Newbury winner Synchronicity.

A sister to Ombudsman who cost 900,000 guineas as a yearling, she will next head to York for Listed action which could serve as a stepping stone to Royal Ascot.

“She’s come out of Newbury well and she’s a very exciting filly,” continued Walker.

“I think we’re happy with our plan of the Michael Seely. The Guineas comes too soon and I don’t really want to travel her on her second start.

“We can go to York and if that goes to plan, we can go to Ascot which is a logical path.

“It’s sad with a filly of her pedigree to ignore the Guineas, but if she won a Coronation Stakes instead, you would take that.”