Almeraq proves his class in British Champions Sprint

Almeraq confirmed himself as this season’s star sprinter with a third top-level triumph of the campaign in the Qatar Racing British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot.

After coming out on top in a thrilling Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, William Haggas’ 11-10 favourite bounced back from July Cup disappointment with a blistering display in the Sprint Cup on very soft ground at Haydock.

With conditions not as testing this time, the four-year-old – who was involved in a horrific fall at York that ultimately ended Jim Crowley’s riding career a little over a year ago – showed all of his class and versatility in the hands of Tom Marquand.

He answered every urging from his rider to hit top gear close home and run down Ed Bethell’s Paborus for a neck success. Completing a one-three for the Somerville Lodge was Division.

Haggas said: “He did well to win as the second had got away. I was trying to watch the other two (Division and Binhareer) so I will have to watch it back, but it looked a good effort.

“He’s got to be the leading sprinter here this year. Tom came back in and said as soon as he got out he knew he was going to get there.

“You always hope horses can come back, but after what happened to him last year at York, to win three Group Ones is better than we could have expected.

“To hopefully produce another stallion for Shadwell is also very important. I haven’t had that conversation with Angus (Gold, racing manager) yet because I dare not ask the question – I’m fairly frightened that I know the answer!”

Gold said: “We haven’t had the conversation as we wanted to get through today. He’s the best around and is a valuable horse going forward for us at stud so I’d be surprised if he was still in training next year.

“It would be wonderful to have him around again, but we don’t breed many like him and he’s proved he’s the best around and we rather need him at the stud.

“I was really impressed the way he went about it today as it looked like the second had it won, but Tom said he was always confident he would get there.

“It’s amazing, to win here against the best in the world in June, at Haydock he looked very good and today he showed his versatility.

“We’ve been very lucky with sprinters down the year, Battaash was a tough old gelding, but this horse – how he walked away from that at York last year I’ll never know. Watching it I thought he must have broken his forelegs the speed he went down.

“To be here a year later is remarkable. Andrew Tinkler, who sadly is not here, rides him in every gallop and along with the teams at Shadwell and at William’s they deserve a lot of credit.”

Bethell was proud of Paborus, saying: “Danny (Tudhope) gave him a beautiful ride, it’s obviously a bit gutting but I’m very proud of him. Kudos to the Haggas team, that horse is phenomenal and he’s done it the hard way today.

“We got a bit closer to him so maybe third time lucky, but the winner was seriously well prepared.

“We’re very grateful to have a horse of this quality in our yard, fingers crossed he comes out of this in good shape and we have a winter of dreaming of some nice races next year.”