The stars look aligned for Almaqam to strike in the G2 York Stakes (2061m) at York on Saturday (26 July).

Trainer Ed Walker has had to play a waiting game with his pride and joy, with the four-year-old forced to skip Royal Ascot due to unsuitably fast ground.

Summer rain has finally produced ideal conditions for the likely hot favourite to add substance to his trainer’s belief that the colt, ridden by Kieran Shoemark for the first time, is “very special.”

Almaqam’s last visit to a racecourse was back in May, beating Ombudsman in a 1990m Group 3, with the runner-up boosting the form in style with a subsequent Group 1 win at Royal Ascot.

Walker’s patience has been tested to the limit as he kept his potentially top-class colt under wraps, waiting for the right ground.

But the time has finally come for Almaqam to show what he’s got and lay down a marker for a tilt at the G1 International Stakes (2100m) back at York next month.

“We have always thought the world of him and he is seriously exciting,” Walker said this week.

“When you have high expectations and hopes, that is when the nerves kick in. It makes me quite nervous talking about it. I think he is very special.”

Looking back at his eye-catching success at Sandown on his second start in 2025, Walker said: “It was no mean feat beating Ombudsman, but I think now what he has gone on and done, the world thinks Almaqam should do it.”

While he may be a short-priced favourite, Almaqam faces some genuine rivals hoping to spoil his day in this generational clash.

The three-year-old Stanhope Gardens merits serious consideration as he aims to build on his fifth in the G1 Derby Stakes (2405m).

The representative of last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe-winning trainer Ralph Beckett was only beaten a neck as a two-year-old by Delacroix, this month’s G1 Eclipse Stakes (1990m) winner.

Another suited by rain-softened ground, Rossa Ryan’s mount has bags of untapped potential, with Beckett declaring: “He’s a very straightforward customer. That form with Delacroix is very good.”

Bay City Roller is aiming to continue the successful season being enjoyed by trainer George Scott and jockey Callum Shepherd.

They turn up at York in optimistic mood after Bay City Roller’s promising second to Daryz in the G2 Prix Eugene Adam (2000m) in France last month.

“On the day he was beaten by a better horse, one with a big reputation. But we’re very happy with the way he’s progressing,” said Scott.

Green Impact, who finished sixth in the G1 Irish Derby on his first attempt at 2400m, is an intriguing contender from Ireland.

Held in high regard by his astute trainer – the leading lady of Irish racing, Mrs John Harrington – the drop back in trip and class point to a prominent run at decent odds.