Economics and Calandagan are set for an epic battle in Saturday’s Group 1 Champion Stakes at Ascot on British Champions Day. The pair dominate the betting for the 1m 1f 212y contest, but they will face some lively rivals and our in-house tipster Steve Chambers is taking on the pair with a potential value play in what is set to be a thrilling contest.
ECONOMICS
(Tom Marquand/William Haggas)
One of the stars of the season, Economics has catapulted to the top of the Flat middle distance ladder with some sumptuous victories and none more so than his recent Irish Champion Stakes victory over former Derby hero Auguste Rodin. Outbattling Aidan O’Brien’s star by a neck in a real Leopardstown humdinger, the runaway Dante Stakes winner showed he was the real deal with that win and he is looking to make it five wins on the bounce this weekend at Ascot.
CALANDAGAN
(Stephane Pasquier/Francis-Henri Graffard)
Producing one of the most memorable performances at Royal Ascot back in June, Calandagan will return to the scene of his biggest career success on Saturday when the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained raider heads over from France again for this test. A stunning six-length winner of the King Edward VII Stakes, the son of Gleneagles then ran a fine race to finish second to City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York. Looking to sparkle once again in Berkshire, the gelding is sure to be a huge danger to Economics and the tussle is set to be titanic.
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Thu 17 Oct 2024LOS ANGELES
(Ryan Moore/Aidan O’Brien)
Third in the Derby at Epsom, Los Angeles then went on to claim Irish Derby glory for Aidan O’Brien and then went to York to outbattle his rivals in the Great Voltigeur Stakes. Fourth in the Irish Champion Stakes two starts ago, Los Angeles then ran a fine race when finishing third to Bluestocking in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Making a swift return after that French run, Los Angeles is sure to make this a test of stamina and will be looking to find a potential chink in the armour of the top two in the market, but will need a career best to land this prize.
THE FIELD
An impressive neck winner of the Group 2 Prix Foy at Longchamp last month, Iresine will be another lively French contender, who showed with that recent victory that he relishes testing going, and he is one that will relish the rain-softened conditions at Ascot this weekend. Harry Charlton’s King’s Gambit has been knocking on the door all season, but hasn’t tasted victory since May. He was second in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot earlier in the season, while he was second in the York Stakes and third in the Great Voltigeur. The Saxon Warrior colt is a classy performer and he could be one that has to be regarded a potential each-way play.
Fifth in the Prix Dollar last time out, Anmaat will need to improve on that effort for Owen Burrows and is a big price, while the likes of Persica, Royal Rhyme, Continuous and Nashwa add more depth to the race, but are unlikely to play any notable role in a fascinating event.
VERDICT
Economics and Calandagan lock horns in an epic clash and it’s the former that can dominate that duel, but there’s very little value in that duo, so look elsewhere for value. KING’S GAMBIT has been running consistently well this season, but has often found a few too good for him, but Harry Charlton’s star could be tailor-made for this test and the big prices available about him landing this prize looks a solid each-way pick. Los Angeles can run another fine race and can be staying on in the closing stages to complete the 1-2-3.
2024 Champion Stakes Predicted 1-2-3
- King’s Gambit
- Economics
- Los Angeles
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