Royal Champion too good for Almaqam in York Stakes

Royal Champion was highly impressive with a decisive triumph over Almaqam in the Sky Bet York Stakes.

Trained by Karl Burke and ridden by Clifford Lee, the Sheikh Mohammed Obaid-owned seven-year-old started at 8-1 as the market revolved around Ed Walker’s 6-4 favourite Almaqam.

Lee kept his mount in a handy position and was happy to bide his time as the race developed, and though Almaqam did hit his stride late on he was no match for Royal Champion as he strode to a career-best two-and-three-quarter-length win.

“He’s cantered round, they all seemed to be coming off it (the bridle) while he was still travelling well,” said Burke.

“Cliff said that’s the best he’s ever picked up and quickened. He was working nicely, but he always works nicely – I thought that was a massive step up on what he’s done, they can’t all have run bad races, can they?

“He was always travelling strongly and when Cliff pushed the button he just picked up.

“There are not that many races to go for with him, he’s won his Group Three and you’re always looking to step up.

“This looked a nice race, it’s York and it’s local, I was hoping the ground would be a bit quicker, but he’s handled that.

“We were hoping for a good run. We’ve had winners (recently), but there’s been a few just not quite going our way.

“We haven’t had a lot of luck for Sheikh Obaid lately, so it is nice to get a Group Two for him.”

Of next steps for the seven-year-old, Burke added: “I’ll have to talk to the owner and see if he wants to supplement him for the Juddmonte International after that performance, we’ll have a good chat.

“He was second in Woodbine for Roger Varian (in the Canadian International Stakes), that could be a nice Group One to go for.

“He’s a lovely horse and he goes on the all-weather as well, hopefully he’s a horse we can campaign around the world.

“Why not go to the Irish Champion Stakes? He owes us nothing, but I’ll have to chat to the owner.”