The highly-anticipated clash between Economics and Calandagan is on after the star pair were declared to run in the Champion Stakes at Ascot.
Economics, trained by William Haggas, has enjoyed a stellar rise to the top and heads into the race in fine form following last month’s success in the Irish Champion Stakes.
Calandagan scored at Royal Ascot in the King Edward VII Stakes but it was the 1l defeat to superstar City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International that cemented the French raider as one of the best middle-distance horses on the block.
Despite Saturday’s 15:55 being a clash of the generations, the three-year-olds appear to have the upper hand as Los Angeles also brings a high level of form to the table courtesy of fourth and third places in the Irish Champion Stakes and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe respectively.
The pick of the older brigade appears to be the French-trained Iresine, who is likely to relish the testing conditions after landing the Prix Foy at Longchamp last month.
The latest Champion Stakes odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Champion Stakes 2024 verdict
Timeform: Progressive 3-y-os CALANDAGAN and Economics do need to prove themselves fully effective on deep ground but they are clear on form and have the potential for even better. The former had 11 others, including Arc winner Bluestocking, well behind him when chasing home City of Troy in a strong renewal of the International at York and is narrowly preferred. Los Angeles, Iresine and Royal Rhyme can fight it out for third.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Champion Stakes 2024 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Champion Stakes 2024.
Anmaat
Trainer: Owen Burrows Jockey: Jim Crowley Age: 6 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 5
Cracking strike-rate in the last 3 years, including a Longchamp Group 1. Added to his excellent record fresh with a second win in the Rose of Lancaster at Haydock (10.5f, good to firm) in August but not at his best when only fifth in Group 2 Prix Dollar back at Longchamp a fortnight ago.
**
Continuous
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Christophe Soumillon Age: 4 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 8
Won last year’s St Leger. Built on his Royal Ascot reappearance fifth when winning the Royal Whip at the Curragh in August but only third to Iresine in the Foy next time and down the field in the Arc 13 days ago.
**
Iresine
Trainer: J-P. Gauvin Jockey: Marie Velon Age: 7 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 4
Very smart performer in France, including a win in the Group 1 Prix Ganay last year. Gained a second win the Group 2 Prix Foy at Longchamp last month and won’t be fazed by this ground having won a Prix Royal Oak on heavy in 2022.
***
Royal Rhyme
Trainer: K. R. Burke Jockey: Clifford Lee Age: 4 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 2
Added to his very good record on going softer than good when landing the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown (1¼m, soft) on his reappearance in May. Behind a few of these rivals on a quicker surface since but he’s one who could go well at big odds with ground conditions in his favour.
***
Nashwa
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Jockey: Hollie Doyle Age: 5 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 9
Very smart mare with 3 Group 1 wins to her name but she’s been well below that level in her 2 outings this year, albeit she ran as if needing the outing after 6 months off when fifth in the Sun Chariot a fortnight ago. Acts on soft.
***
Novus
Trainer: Gary & Josh Moore Jockey: Tom Queally Age: 4 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 7
Enhanced her fine Goodwood record with a listed win (1¼m, heavy) last month but well held in Group 3 Pride at Newmarket last week and nothing in her record to think she’s up to this level.
*
Calandagan
Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard Jockey: Stephane Pasquier Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 1
Most impressive tackling going firmer than good for the first time when a 6-length winner of King Edward at the Royal meeting. Bettered that form when length second to City of Troy (pair clear) in International at York (good to firm again) since. The one to beat if as effective back on deep ground.
*****
Economics
Trainer: William Haggas Jockey: Tom Marquand Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 4
Dual Group 2 winner who battled gamely to make it 4-4 for the season in the Irish Champion at Leopardstown (1¼m, good) last month, fending off Auguste Rodin by a neck with Los Angeles a length back in fourth. Looks capable of even better.
****
King’s Gambit
Trainer: Harry Charlton Jockey: Oisin Murphy Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 11
Impressive winner of the London Gold Cup (handicap) on his Newbury reappearance and even better form when placed at listed/Group level in his 3 outings since, including C&D. Los Angeles gave weight and a beating to him at York last time, though.
**
Los Angeles
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 10
Placed in the Epsom Derby before winning the Irish version. Good effort to defy a Group 1 penalty in the Voltigeur at York in August before fine in-frame efforts in the Irish Champion (to Economics) and Arc this autumn. 1½m is his optimum trip but the ground should place the emphasis on stamina.
***
Persica
Trainer: Richard Hannon Jockey: Sean Levey Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 12
Has really flourished as a 3-y-o, winning 2 competitive handicaps and an Ayr listed race (all 1¼m). Acts on soft and might be capable of even better but he’ll require a big jolt of improvement to play a prominent role here.
**
See The Fire
Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Daniel Tudhope Age: 3 Weight: 9st 0lbs Draw: 3
Went close in the Group 1 Nassau at Goodwood before landing Group 3 Strensall at York (9f, good to firm) in August. Placed again in Group 1 company among her own sex when third in Sun Chariot at Newmarket 2 weeks ago. Return to 1¼m in favour but still hard to make a strong case for.
**
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