Big-race jockey Tom Marquand is banking on Economics displaying the class he showed at Leopardstown last time out when he lines up for the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
He is on course to face Calandagan, who gave City Of Troy a real fright in the Juddmonte International at York, after 17 horses stood their ground at Monday’s confirmation stage.
The William Haggas-trained Economics has been the breakout star of the season, winning all four of his races, and confirmed he was a real top-notcher when winning the Irish Champion Stakes out from Auguste Rodin.
Marquand is the lucky man on top and is also looking for his second win in the race.
He said: “I had another spin on Economics a couple of weeks ago and he felt fantastic. He’ll have to contend with slower ground than in Ireland, but we are hopeful he’s versatile in that respect and that he’ll be just as effective.
“Winning the Irish Champion Stakes on him was a massive thrill. He had to fight for it, but he showed how good he is, and we are hoping he’ll show that class again and win the Ascot version.
“I was lucky to win it before on Addeybb, and although he wasn’t quite my first English Group 1, it’s a big day and a big race to win.”
Francis-Henri Graffard’s Calandagan shot to prominence with a six-length win in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The gelding went on to prove he belonged at the highest level at York, and the clash between the pair is eagerly anticipated.
He will still be ridden by Stephane Pasquier, even though Mickael Barzalona has signed as retained rider for owner the Aga Khan in 2025.
“I’m definitely riding him at Ascot, and that’s good news for him and good news for me also. I rode him in work last week and he was very good. He is a fantastic horse and he’s in good form. When I rode him last week he was perfect,” said Pasquier.
“It’s a strong race, but Calandagan did something so special at Ascot and again at York. He has a very good turn of foot and it would need something very special to beat him. It would need City Of Troy to beat him!”
Adding further strength in depth are the likes of Anmaat, Al Riffa, Continuous, Los Angeles and King’s Gambit.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES
Prague has been supplemented for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at a cost of £70,000.
The Ballydoyle cast-off’s victory in the Joel Stakes last month was one of the feel-good stories of the season.
Bought for just 10,000gns as an unraced colt out of Aidan O’Brien’s yard, he was in the colours of Amedeo Dal Pos, a stable lad for his trainer Dylan Cunha.
A 40/1 winner on debut, four races later he was a Group Two victor – and now connections are shooting at the stars on Qipco British Champions Day, with soft ground guaranteed at Ascot.
“He won on soft ground last time when he took the Joel Stakes really well,” said Newmarket-based Cunha, who is a Group 1-winning handler in his native South Africa.
“He worked on Saturday morning, he worked nicely and he’s come out of it really well and he’s going to get his ground. We all felt it was worth having a go.
“When you look at official ratings, he’s now only 5lb below Charyn. We know he will have to improve a lot to beat Charyn, but he’s definitely in great form, so we have to go for it.
“When a horse like him is on such a steep curve, especially at this time of year, you might never get one in this form again, so we’re going in with a good chance.
“We’re fairly confident he’ll run well, we’ve spent the money, so it is written in the stars now, we’ve done our bit!
“I’m at the sales looking for another now, hopefully someone drops me a yellow receipt with a horse bought for me, that would be nice.”
Roger Varian’s Charyn has been the standout miler this season, winning the Queen Anne and Prix Jacques le Marois, and is among a potential field of 16
David Menuisier has two fillies engaged, impressive Sun Chariot winner Tamfana and Sirona, while Nashwa has the option also.
Facteur Cheval, second to Big Rock last year, is back again, while O’Brien has left in two three-year-olds, Diego Velazquez and Henry Longfellow.
SPRINT
Jane Chapple-Hyam expects Mill Stream to be much better suited back at six furlongs in the Sprint.
Having won the July Cup, hopes were high when he went to France for the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.
However, he failed to see out the extra half-furlong and finished fifth behind Lazzat.
“He’s been our flagbearer this year, and a good one at that, winning the July Cup and before that winning the Duke of York and finishing third at Royal Ascot,” she said.
“He’s been so consistent and he’s never let us down. When he ran at Deauville last time it was six and a half furlongs. We thought he’d get it on a flat track, but the extra half-furlong was just too far for him.
“Everything has been smooth sailing and we are all very pleased with him. He worked on the racecourse at Newmarket the week before last. He’s not a flashy worker, but he did everything that was asked of him and William (Buick) was pleased with him.”
The previous two winners of the race, Art Power and Kinross, William Haggas’ Montassib, winner of the Sprint Cup at Haydock, Kind Of Blue, second that day, and Wokingham hero Unequal Love are others fancied.
FILLIES & MARES STAKES
Andrew Balding’s Kalpana will aim to continue her progression in the Fillies & Mares Stakes.
Since finishing third in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot she has won a listed race and a Group 3 by an aggregate of almost 10 lengths
“She is very talented and in great form. This race is a good fit for her. If the ground is soft that is an unknown, but her form is very solid – if you look back at the Pretty Polly and what Friendly Soul has achieved,” said Balding.
“Her only disappointing run was in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot, but there was a slightly false pace which didn’t suit her.”
Sir Mark Prescott’s Tiffany has won three out of four this season, including a Group 2 in Germany last time out, so is clearly still progressing.
Aidan O’Brien’s Grateful could drop in trip having been a somewhat surprising winner of the Qatar Prix de Royallieu, with stablemates Content, Lily Heart, Port Fairy and Wingspan also involved.
Oisin Murphy will take the ride on Queen Of The Pride, but soft ground is unlikely to suit her.
“Her dam (Simple Verse) won the Fillies & Mares and she didn’t mind soft ground, but Queen Of The Pride is by Roaring Lion and I think she prefers better ground, so I hope it doesn’t get too deep,” said Murphy.
LONG DISTANCE CUP
Kyprios, the star stayer of his generation, is the standout name in the Long Distance Cup.
With Alan King deciding against taking him on again with Trueshan having come off second best in France, his main threat may come from Tom Clover’s Al Nayyir. Second to Vauban at York, he was an easy winner at Newmarket last time out in the Rose Bowl Stakes.
The John and Thady Gosden duo of Sweet William and Trawlerman are set to run, the latter beating Kyprios in this race last year.
Illinois is another possible for O’Brien, along with The Euphrates, Continuous, Grosvenor Square and Point Lonsdale.
GROUND CONDITIONS
Champions Day looks sure to take place on place on soft ground, with a switch to the inner course looking likely for the three races on the round track.
After 10 millimetres of rain fell through Sunday night and into Monday, the going went soft on the straight course and heavy, soft in places on the round course.
Conditions for the meeting state that if the word ‘heavy’ is in the going description on the round course by 8am on Thursday those races can be switched to the inner course – which was described as soft – and with up to 25m more rain forecast before raceday that seems the favourite course of action. The same situation occurred last year.
Clerk of the course Chris Stickels said: “The forecast is unsettled and we are expecting some heavy showers throughout the week and then into Saturday morning.
“We’ve had 10 millimetres on Monday morning which has meant the round course is now heavy, soft in places. Given that, and the volume of rain forecast, it’s quite likely we’ll end up on the inner course on Saturday.
“Forecasts can change, but at the moment that’s the impression we’ve got, and we’ll aim to make the decision as soon as we can, so everyone has clarity.”
CURRENT BETTING
Long Distance Cup: 8/11 Kyprios, 3/1 Trawlerman, 4/1 Al Nayyir, 5/1 Sweet William, 7/1 Illinois, 16/1 bar
Sprint Stakes: 4/1 Kinross, 11/2 Montassib, 7/1 King of Blue, 8/1 Unequal Love, 9/1 Mill Stream, 12/1 bar
Fillies & Mares Stakes: 6/4 Kalpana, 7/1 Time Lock, 15/2 Tiffany, 10/1 Content, 12/1 bar
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes: 5/4 Charyn, 5/1 Tamfana, 8/1 Facteur Cheval, 8/1 Prague, 10/1 bar
Champion Stakes: 5/4 Economics, 2/1 Calandagan, 7/1 Los Angeles, 14/1 bar
Balmoral Handicap: 8/1 Daysofourlives, 8/1 Qirat, 8/1 Thunder Run, 10/1 Elnajmm, 10/1 Holloway Boy, 10/1 State Actor, 12/1 bar