Ombudsman heightening excitement for Walker with Almaqam

Ed Walker is looking forward to seeing Almaqam return to the track after watching Ombudsman frank the form of the Brigadier Gerard Stakes when dazzling in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Almaqam impressively made all at Sandown to see off John and Thady Gosden’s performer, but with Walker deciding to wait for more suitable ground rather than head to the Royal meeting with his talented four-year-old, the door was left open for Ombudsman to boost the Esher result. which now looks red hot.

“It looked a very strong renewal of the Brigadier Gerard, Ombudsman has come out and confirmed he’s a smart horse and hopefully we can do soon,” said Walker, who enjoyed a tremendous time at the Royal meeting with two winners and Do Or Do Not beaten only by Gstaad in the Coventry Stakes.

“It’s an exciting result to see for us, but you have to remember Sandown was Ombudsman’s first run of the season and he was carrying a 3lb penalty. He loomed up like he was going to be a threat and John and Thady will know more than me, but it felt like he needed the run slightly carrying a penalty on easy ground.

“It is exciting and I think we all felt at Sandown the first two were very smart horses.”

After quick ground scuppered any designs of turning up in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes for Almaqam himself, Walker is now left searching for ideal conditions buoyant he has plenty to look forward to.

“It’s all ground dependent and we will have him in everything and take our pick,” added Walker on future plans.

“He’ll be in everything at a mile and a quarter, but I wouldn’t rule out going a mile and a half as well. We have put him in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket (July 10) over a mile and a half, so we will see where the ground will suit.”