Almaqam

“I'm disappointed to be beaten but it was a really good performance. We're really happy with Almaqam. I was fretting all week about where to run, whether to go to Germany, here or the Irish Champion Stakes, but we did the right thing coming here. He definitely stays the trip and we learned a lot, but I think he'll be better on softer ground. He looked like he wasn't going to stay but then he rallied again. I think it's just the ground. He's a big, heavy horse who I think needs a bit of cut to be able to let himself down properly. He's not been beaten far and my initial feeling is we have to roll the dice. William [Buick, jockey] said if you're going to do it, do it this year. The Champion Stakes is going to be a smoking hot race and I think he wants this trip. If the owner is happy to have a go, then I think we should - Ed Walker, trainer.”

“Almaqam ran well. He hit the front and he was lengthening all the way to the line - no excuses - Kieran Shoemark, rider.”

“Almaqam has got a great attitude. Last year we had him in a lip chain in the prelims but we took it off and he's just so laid-back, he's almost asleep. I think that's what got him beaten last time, he was still on his winter holidays and just flopped out the gates and flopped round and didn't really help Tom [Marquand] out. He's definitely sharpened up at home for that run. When the Gosdens' horse [Ombudsman] loomed up I thought we were cooked, but he was really tough. He stays well, and Ryan [Moore] said last year at Longchamp that he'd definitely get a mile and a half, but his pedigree doesn't suggest that. However, Oisin [Murphy] has just said exactly the same. We stuck him in the Arc as I've never hidden how much I think about this horse. The ground is absolutely key, and it'll be hard to know what to do with him through the summer, but good ground is probably as quick as we want it to be - Ed Walker, trainer.”

“I was quite taken by Almaqam. The ground was very soft today but you've got to handle it and he's got a beautiful pedigree. That's only his third start today so you'd imagine he would really progress and he's certainly got the ability. You have to stamina in that ground and I see him as a ten furlong horse in time - William Buick, jockey.”