May 29 / 19.35 Sandown

19.35

Good

Star Sports Brigadier Gerard Stakes (Group 3)

  • Prize money: £45368
  • 1m 1f 209y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
Star Sports Brigadier Gerard Stakes (Group 3)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

1st
4 (1)
Almaqam

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 1632-3 C

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Went close in 1m2f Group 2 at Longchamp (soft) in October; looked set for further improvement and still does following his close third in Group 3 Gordon Richards over C&D (good; Ancient Wisdom second) five weeks ago, pushed along firmly from 3f out and hampered before finishing with more to give; a stronger pace at this trip will help him and he's one to note.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(7)

24th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 110y

15:55 Curragh

Almaqam

9st 5lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Closest to Minnie Hauk on ratings, although that rival has the benefit of race-fitness and a fillies allowance; made all to beat subsequent three-time Group 1 winner Ombudsman at Sandown (1m2f, good) last season but had the benefit of a run; good placed efforts in Group 2s at York (10.5f, good) and Longchamp (1m4f, good to soft); signed off last term with a cracking run to take third in a Group 1 at Ascot on Champions Day (1m2f, good); there is likely more to come to this term from the British raider.

5/1

3rd

1

(1)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:05 Ascot

Almaqam

9st 7lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Made all to beat Ombudsman in Group 3 at Sandown (1m2f, good) in May but was receiving 3lb and had the benefit of recent match practice, unlike that rival who has reached a much higher level since; could go well but looks unlikely to confirm the placings; no further progress in a couple of Group 2 events since, latest over 1m4f in France.

20/1

2/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 1111- D

Last run: 263 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Unraced at two; unbeaten in four starts last term, with two novice wins followed by a Listed race at Deauville (1m2f, good) and seven-runner Group 3 at Longchamp (1m2f, soft); odds-on for last three of those; quickened to the front last time once the gap opened and then looked as if he had more in the tank; should make his mark in big races this term.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(5)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

19:12 Sandown

Ombudsman

9st 9lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Second in this last year on his reappearance and he's won three Group 1 races since (1m2f/1m1f, good to firm/good), the latest the Dubai Turf at Meydan in March on his sole outing this year; John Gosden has said that this is "going to bring him on to where we want him at (Royal) Ascot" but he'll be very tough to beat under a 7lb penalty if close to the top of his game.

8/11

2nd

6

(9)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:05 Ascot

Ombudsman

9st 7lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Record reads 11112121; has developed into a high-class colt this term and stormed past his pacemaker in the latter stages of the Juddmonte International at York (1m2f, good to firm) most recently, comfortably reversing Eclipse placings with Delacroix and adding to his success in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot; top on ratings and may have an even bigger figure in him.

13/8

Form: -11246 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Dual Listed winner; scored twice (1m1f/1m2f) in Bahrain in January, before two lesser efforts there and a sixth of 11 when dropped back to 1m for a Listed race at Ascot; while not disgraced in the latter, even his best form is not quite a match for today's rivals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(6)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Phantom Flight

9st 5lb

J: William Buick

T: George Scott

Four Listed wins before he added a 1m4f Group 3 success in Bahrain 15 days ago; stacks of smart form in his lengthy career and none of it better than that latest start, but a bit extra will be needed to win this.

9/1

1

(9)

26th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 2f 150y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Phantom Flight

9st 10lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: George Scott

Dual Listed winner at 1m2f and close to his best form the last twice in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard at Sandown and the Listed Wolferton at Royal Ascot; off since that last run in June but has a positive record when fresh; every chance as reverting back to the AW won't be an issue; he might be capable of conceding weight all round.

5/1

7th

4

(15)

17th Jun 2025

Good

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:35 Ascot

Phantom Flight

9st 8lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: George Scott

Won a Listed race over this trip on good to firm at Newbury last July; also scored twice in Bahrain in January and back to somewhere near his best when third in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown (1m2f, good) 19 days ago, with reopposing pair Military Order and Enfjaar in fourth and fifth; carries a 3lb penalty and his draw could be tricky.

25/1

Form: /217-1 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
379-day absence proved no obstacle when he came from off the pace to win stylishly in a Listed race at Kempton (1m2f, AW) in April; last three of his wins have been on AW but he's close to the best of these in form terms and William Buick rides him instead of Ancient Wisdom.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(5)

23rd Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

18:45 Windsor

Military Order

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Appleby

Record of 5-13 and his last two wins were in Group 3 at Southwell (1m3f) last January and a Listed event at Kempton (1m2f) this spring; ran into some trouble when creditable sixth of 16 in Listed Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm) and he was only narrowly denied back in a Group 3 at Haydock two weeks ago; was as good as ever with that bold bid and he's the standout contender in this line-up.

4/7

2nd

5

(7)

9th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 100y

Class 1

15:00 Haydock

Military Order

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Charlie Appleby

Best turf form when just over 2l sixth of 16 in Listed race at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm) latest start, a race which Haatem won but this 5yo gave him 3lb and eventually ran on well after trouble in running; on that evidence there's not much between them and they are leading contenders.

4/1

6th

3

(10)

17th Jun 2025

Good

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:35 Ascot

Military Order

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Added to his very good AW record with a stylish win in a Listed race at Kempton (1m2f) in April but he wasn't in quite the same form when fourth (Phantom Flight third) in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown since and there are doubts as to whether he's still as effective on turf as AW; also has a 3lb penalty for the Kempton win.

8/1

12/1

Form: 11252- D BF

Last run: 250 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Won top handicap at York last July, pipped at Glorious Goodwood and close second to Persica in Listed race at Ayr, all over about 1m2f; may well be the type to raise his game again this term, which is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(7)

22nd May 2026

Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

16:17 Goodwood

Enfjaar

9st 3lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Unlucky second at Glorious Goodwood in 2024 when bidding for a notable 1m2f handicap double; best effort in a truncated 2025 campaign when fourth to Haatem in Listed grade at Royal Ascot; should be thereabouts, provided he's in top form after ten-month layoff.

5/1

3rd

4

(6)

19th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Newbury

Enfjaar

9st 8lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Roger Varian

Won the valuable John Smith's Cup at York (1m2f, good to soft) last July in his penultimate handicap; close fourth of 16 in Listed race at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm) one month ago showed, not for the first time, that he should be well capable of a prominent finish in today's company.

5/2

4th

8

(2)

17th Jun 2025

Good

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:35 Ascot

Enfjaar

9st 5lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Roger Varian

Enjoyed a good 2024, including a win in valuable John Smith's Cup at York (1m2f, good to soft); showed he can mix it outside handicaps when second in 1m2f Listed race at Ayr (good to firm) last autumn; went without regular hood (back on now) when behind a couple of today's rivals in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard on his reappearance at Sandown (1m2f, good) 19 days ago; likely to be sharper now and his yard has won this twice in recent years; a must for the shortlist from a handy draw.

7/2

Form: 7487-3 C

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Somewhat underwhelming last season after winning first time out; had gelding and wind operations and reappeared with an eyecatching performance in eight-runner Group 2 here (1m, good) five weeks ago, staying on from last to third in the last 2f; he needs better still and has never been this far but it now looks worth a shot.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(4)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Ciceros Gift

9st 2lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Charles Hills

Didn't have the ideal set-up at Sandown (behind Zeus Olympios) on reappearance but still needs to prove the form of his 100-1 success in last year's Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II (1m, good) at Ascot, where he was possibly helped by the draw, can be backed up; may be flattered by his mark.

33/1

4th

1

(5)

24th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Ciceros Gift

9st 8lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Charles Hills

Dual C&D winner who finished third in this race last year; returns to Sandown but may be flattered by his new rating, having been perhaps helped by the draw when registering a 100-1 success in the Group 1 QEII at Ascot (good) on last appearance; needs to prove he can back up that form.

20/1

2

(1)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Ascot

Ciceros Gift

9st 6lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Charles Hills

Having run some good races in defeat this season (including in a good-ground Group 2) he returned to winning ways in a Listed race at Sandown (1m, soft) last month; likes it there; looks opposable now back up in grade.

100/1

66/1

Form: 24-115 D

Last run: 96 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Beaten off handicap marks in the low 90s in Britain last summer; three wins in Qatar this winter and not beaten far when bidding for a big handicap prize in Saudi Arabia in February on latest outing, but stiff task in this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(4)

12th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:00 York

Aafoor

9st 13lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: M Al Attiya

Won two in a row in Qatar (1m2f/10.5f) earlier this year; however, well beaten in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard (1m2f) and the Buckingham Palace Handicap (7f) since returning to Britain, and others are preferred.

50/1

24th

4

(11)

19th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Aafoor

9st 12lb

J: Szczepan Mazur

T: M Al Attiya

Hampered when a never-nearer eighth of 18 in his sole 7f handicap in Britain, at Goodwood (good to firm) last July; much higher in the weights now following three 1m2f wins in Qatar over the winter and a remote finish in a Group 3 at Sandown (1m2f) recently left questions hanging.

66/1

7th

3

(6)

29th May 2025

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

19:35 Sandown

Aafoor

9st 2lb

J: Szczepan Mazur

T: M Al Attiya

Beaten off handicap marks in the low 90s in Britain last summer; three wins in Qatar this winter and not beaten far when bidding for a big handicap prize in Saudi Arabia in February on latest outing, but stiff task in this.

66/1

OUR TIP

Form: 18-318 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Mare

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won last term over 1m2f in two handicaps and a Listed race, before another step forward for Group 3 honours over 1m1f at Newmarket this April; well beaten at Newbury 12 days ago and while that performance in a 1m Group 1 (22-1) is not the hardest to forgive, this company also looks tricky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Persica, Ancient Wisdom, Bolster

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.40
Straight Forecast £4.17
Tricast £27.61
Trifecta £28.20

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Almaqam

SPOTLIGHT:

Ombudsman

TOPSPEED:

Enfjaar

POSTDATA:

Ancient Wisdom

The Sun:

Military Order

NEWMARKET:

Ombudsman

Telegraph:

Ombudsman

Daily Record:

Ombudsman

LAMBOURN:

Almaqam

The Guardian:

Almaqam

Daily Mail:

Almaqam

D Express:

Almaqam

Daily Mirror:

Almaqam

The Star:

Almaqam

The Times:

Enfjaar