Almaqam is the one to beat as he makes his return at Sandown

ALMAQAM can make a winning return to Sandown with victory in the Star Sports Brigadier Gerard Stakes for Ed Walker and Oisin Murphy.

- MOLLY HUNTER Horse Racing correspondent

The Lope De Vega colt won the Listed Heron Stakes at the meeting last season, prevailing by three and three quarter lengths ahead of Frankel’s half-brother Kikkuli.

He would run once more over a mile to finish a not-disgraced sixth behind Rosallion in the St James's Palace at Royal Ascot, after which he ventured towards the 10-furlong trip.

Third behind Economics in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano on his next outing, Walker's charge ended his term with a narrow loss to Jayarebe in the Group Two Prix Dollar at Longchamp.

His comeback run was a pleasing performance in the Gordon Richards Stakes, where he was third, beaten just over a length over the same course and distance he encounters in this Group Three feature.