Almeraq leads William Haggas' powerful squad for Champions Day

The dual G1 winner will be one of the hot favorites for the British Champions Sprint at Ascot, where his trainer will also line up More Thunder, Lilt, and Division. The going will be decisive for the chances of several of his runners

ASCOT, England (Special for Turf Diario).— William Haggas arrives at British Champions Day with aspirations across several of the afternoon's marquee races, but a major share of his hopes will rest on Almeraq (Dark Angel). The remarkable 4-year-old sprinter will be one of the principal contenders in the Qipco British Champions Sprint (G1), over 1200 meters, following a season in which he secured two top-flight victories and cemented his status among Europe's elite speed specialists.

The horse achieved his first major breakthrough of the year in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot, where he defeated Japan's Satono Reve (Lord Kanaloa) and Australia's Joliestar (Zoustar) in a thrilling finish.

He subsequently suffered an unexpected defeat in the July Cup (G1), but swiftly regained his best form with a commanding victory in the Sprint Cup (G1) at Haydock Park, over heavy ground that appeared to particularly suit his action.

He now returns to Ascot to cap his campaign with another major triumph, though Haggas acknowledges that the weather forecast may prevent him from finding ground as soft as the surface he encountered at Haydock.

"Almeraq is in really good shape. It looks like we won't get the weather conditions required for him to be a 6-4 favorite, but I think he's a very good horse and he's in excellent order. I'm very hopeful he'll run well," the trainer explained.

The handler believes his charge has ample credentials to perform across varying surfaces.

"He obviously relished the heavy ground at Haydock, but I also thought his performance on fast ground at Royal Ascot was excellent. Even though it was a very tight finish, the two horses he defeated are really good."

Regarding the July Cup setback, Haggas feels there are reasons to put that result into perspective. "I think we can draw a line through it. He was handed a low stall, got too exposed, and I'm not entirely sure he really liked the track layout either. If that's the case, his chances for Saturday are very solid, whatever the going."

Haggas will saddle a second runner in the Champions Sprint: Division (Kingman), whose participation was initially contingent on the weather forecast.

The trainer explained that they had no intention of running him until it became clear that rain might be lighter than usual at Ascot.

"Division absolutely deserves his place in the race. We hadn't planned to run him, but when we saw the forecast, we understood that the ground might not be as testing as it usually gets," he noted.

"He needs good or fast ground, so we left him in with every intention of running."

Draw position will be another key factor. "For much of the season he's been stuck in stalls one or two. If he can break from a more central stall this time, it will help him immensely."

In the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) over the mile, Haggas's primary contender will be More Thunder (Night of Thunder), a highly talented runner who requires a favorable setup to showcase his full ability.

The trainer believes his running style demands a patient ride, allowing him to settle early before unleashing his acceleration.

"More Thunder is in great form. To an extent he's at the mercy of how the race unfolds, because he definitely needs to be ridden from off the pace so he can work his way into a rhythm," he explained.

The horse had previously turned in standout efforts in the Lockinge Stakes (G1) and the Queen Anne Stakes (G1), before finishing fifth in the Prix Jacques le Marois (G1).

Haggas believes that afternoon's tactics were too prominent. "We probably rode him a bit too close to the pace in the Marois, after he had gone so well in the Lockinge and the Queen Anne."

In the trainer's view, More Thunder is still sitting on a big performance. "I'm sure there's a huge race in him, but he needs a strong pace."

For that reason, Haggas will also send out Needle Match (Night of Thunder), intending for him to take up a prominent role from the outset and help generate a demanding tempo.

Lilt, the 2400-meter unknown

Another of the stable's most intriguing contenders will be Lilt (Lope de Vega), a lightly raced filly set to contest the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (G1) over 2400 meters.

Her preparations since the Blandford Stakes have left Haggas well satisfied, though the trainer still harbors some reservations regarding the distance.

"Lilt is very interesting because her work since the Blandford was really good," he stated.

"Right after that race I thought 2400 meters would be ideal for her, but now I wonder if that impression had more to do with her still lacking race fitness or some other factor."

The Ascot stamina test will pose a significant challenge for the filly, though the state of the turf could aid her stamina bid.

"The ground will give her every chance to stay the trip," Haggas maintained.