Horse racing news: William Haggas–trained Almeraq rated 113p by Timeform after superb Ayr win

Almeraq made a mockery of his opening mark when bolting up on his handicap debut at Ayr on Monday, improving his Timeform rating 12lb to 113p.

The William Haggas–trained three-year-old would be very interesting if getting in the Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood, which he looks potentially well treated for under a 6lb penalty.

Yet, while he is one of the favourites for the race, it isn’t guaranteed he’ll get in.

Almeraq continues meteoric rise

Almeraq is clearly on the path to pattern company – he holds an entry in the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock – in a sprint division where there is currently no standout horse in Britain or Ireland, but connections would be entitled to win a big handicap with him prior to that.

He looked potentially smart when opening his account at Yarmouth last season on soft ground, confirming the promise of his debut in spades as he readily quickened clear from a next-time-out winner in the final furlong.

Almeraq was a warm order on his return when beaten by Spy Chief back at Yarmouth, but he was attempting to give that rival 7lb, and he has since franked that form by finishing runner-up in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot and being beaten two-and-a-half lengths in the July Cup.

The field at Ayr on Monday was made up of useful handicappers, but he demolished that opposition in the unmistakable style of a pattern-class performer masquerading in a handicap, travelling powerfully throughout and really impressing with the way he stretched clear in the final furlong.

It is worth noting that both of his wins have come with some ease in the ground, but there’s no doubting he’s a smart colt, who is open to further improvement.

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Timeform anticipates Stewards’ Cup

Andrew Asquith of Timeform said: “It was a striking display from Almeraq at Ayr on what was otherwise a mundane Monday, and he is a sprinter to keep firmly onside wherever he turns up next.

“The Stewards’ Cup is an obvious target, as he’d look well treated under a penalty, but if he doesn’t get in there, a return to Ayr for the Gold Cup in September would also look an attractive option.

“However, given the Sprint Cup at Haydock comes before that, it will be interesting to see which way connections sway. 

“The Group 1 Champions Sprint at Ascot in October looks an obvious end-of-season target, where there is the strong possibility he’d get some cut in the ground, which appear to be his optimum conditions.”

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