In the Group 1 British Champions Sprint Stakes (1200m), the William Haggas-trained Almeraq will aim to end the season as Europe’s leading sprinter.

The four-year-old returns to the scene of his course and distance Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes victory, having added another Group 1 success in the Betfair Sprint Cup (1200m) in September. His only defeat this season occurred in the Group 1 July Cup (1200m) at Newmarket’s July Course.

“Almeraq is really good,” said Haggas. “It does not look like he is going to get the weather to make him a 6/4 shot, but I think he is a pretty good horse who is in really good shape. I would be very hopeful that he will go well.

“He obviously enjoyed very soft ground at Haydock, but I thought his performance on fast ground at Royal Ascot was really good – even if it was a bunched finish – because the two he beat are pretty smart.

Almeraq’s only defeat this season occurred in the Group 1 July Cup (1200m) at Newmarket’s July Course.

“I think you can put a line through the July Cup because he was drawn low and saw way too much daylight, while I am not sure he enjoyed the track much,” added Haggas. “If that’s the case, then I think his credentials for Saturday are pretty solid, whatever the ground.”

Wathnan Racing could be triple-handed in search of a top-level sprint success with James Fanshawes’ 2024 victor Kind Of Blue, the unexposed Paborus from the Ed Bethell yard and the consistent Haggas-trained Division all set to oppose.

“I think Division is very worthy of a place in the lineup as well,” said Haggas. “We were not planning to run him until we saw the forecast and thought that it might not be as wet as usual. He wants good, fast ground and we have left him in with the intention to run. He has been drawn in one or two most of the season and, if he can get a stall in amongst them, that will help a lot.”

Other contenders include course and distance victor Coppull from the Clive Cox yard, Francis-Henri Graffard’s Samangan and the Marco Botti-trained Prince Of India, who has improved through the season.

Photo: Focus On Racing