Ed Walker to check York track is safe for stable star Almaqam before awesome Juddmonte International

BRING it on, York, bring it on! Ed Walker hopes to roll the dice with Almaqam in a belting Juddmonte International on Wednesday – but will walk the course to check conditions before unleashing his stable star against a mouth-watering field. 24 May 2026; Almaqam, with Kieran Shoemark up, on their way to winning the Tattersalls Gold Cup during day two of the Tattersalls Irish Guineas Weekend at The Curragh Racecourse in Kildare. Photo by Thomas Doolin/Sportsfile Credit: Sportsfile The Tattersalls Gold Cup hero was one of nine declared this morning for York’s Group 1 showpiece, set to star worldy Ombudsman and Aidan O’Brien’s crack three-year-old and Classic hero Constitution River. The lightly raced Almaqam has been waiting – like the country – for rain since finishing a gallant fourth to Ombudsman and Minnie Hauk in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot. Under Kieran Shoemark he smashed up the latter for his Curragh success in which he thrashed the Coronation Cup hero Bay City Roller. There’s no doubt Walker’s stable star – who once beat Ombudsman in the Brigadier Gerard – is better with some juice in the ground. But with the season kicking on the gut feeling his handler has is to take his chance. “Almaqam is an intended runner and we have declared him,” Walker told me a few moments ago. “We will walk the track and take a view. I imagine being the first day of the meeting that (chief executive and clerk of the course) William Derby will have it in great nick and we will be happy to run. “We are looking forward to it and it’s great to be involved in a race like the Juddmonte International with a horse we know can be very competitive. Most read in Horse Racing “We would love some of the forecast showers to be a bit heavier but if we don’t run here and we wait for the Irish Champion Stakes, which is his main target, it’s a long time between drinks so we feel we need to get a run into him and if the ground is decent enough for him we will have a go.” As well as the ‘big two’, the International field includes recent York winner Item, running for the sponsors, plus former Dante and Voltigeur victor Pride of Arras. The Juddmonte International promises to be a cracker, but one thing clear at York is that the sport is desperate for new stayers. With the recent retirement of fan favourites Sweet William and Trawlerman, the staying division is utterly dominated by Ascot Gold Cup hero Scandinavia, who will be long odds-on wherever he runs. Luckily for York he’s not in the Group 2 Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup on Friday, for which George Scott’s Caballo de Mar is the likely market leader should he take his chance. The former Derby hero Lambourn does have an entry in the extended two-mile test, but it remains to be seen if he dips his hoof into the staying division. With Scandinavia in the same camp there is no real need to make the Epsom hero stretch out in trip, and he was put up 7lb for his fourth in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes which suggests he still has business to do at a mile and a half. Enjoy York, people. What a week ahead. FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here. Comment now