An inequality for regular near polygons

Let Γ denote a near polygon distance-regular graph with diameter d ≥ 3, valency k and intersection numbers a1 > 0, c2 > 1. Let θ1 denote the second largest eigenvalue of Γ. We show θ1 ≤ k − a1 − c2 c2 − 1 . We show the following (i)–(iii) are equivalent. (i) Equality is attained above; (ii) Γ is Q-polynomial with respect to θ1; (iii) Γ is a dual polar graph or a Hamming graph.