Almeraq

Trained by William Haggas at Newmarket, Almeraq has all the hallmarks of a horse operating well within his comfort zone. Haggas's yard has sent out 170 winners already this season, a reflection of a operation that knows how to get horses ready and pointed at the right targets. Almeraq broke his maiden at Great Yarmouth in mid-October 2024, but he has since flourished, particularly in recent weeks. The only blemish in his last six runs came when he finished ninth last time out, a reminder that even the best horses have off days — but the wins either side of that race show he bounced back without fuss.

What makes Almeraq genuinely interesting is not just the win rate but the sharpness of his recent form. A horse that wins 4 of 6 races, and then adds another at a track as competitive as Ascot within days, is a horse firing on all cylinders. He was racing just a day ago, which means he is actively campaigned and clearly thriving. For a 4-year-old still climbing through the ranks, that kind of momentum is rare, and it suggests there could be plenty more to come.