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Champion Stakes Preview: They Say Three’s a Crowd, and The Irish Are Here For It

a man in horse racing riding his horse
All roads lead to Ascot on Saturday, as the flat season draws to a close with its annual Champion’s Day meeting. The showpiece Champion Stakes is set to be a fantastic renewal. Some commentators, and the market, would have you believe it’s a two-horse race. Here’s why it’s not.
a man in horse racing riding his horse
Champion Stakes Preview: They Say Three’s a Crowd, and The Irish Are Here For It | Rhino Bet

Economics: The Unbeaten Favourite

The market leader, Economics, was last seen winning the Irish Champion Stakes and remains unbeaten in 2024. However, all four of his wins have come on ground no softer than Good to Soft. His only appearance on Heavy ground saw him comfortably beaten into fourth place.

The forecast predicts soft ground at Ascot, raising doubts about the favourite. Yet, trainer William Haggas has been vocal in the media this week. He suggests Economics is primed for this contest and claims the ground won’t be an issue.

Calandagan: A French Challenger

Calandagan, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, comes into the race after chasing home City of Troy in the Juddmonte in September. The soft ground is expected to suit him well, as his best performances have come under similar conditions.

Notably, French horses have had a decent record in the Champion Stakes, with wins from Almanzor in 2016 and Cirrus des Aigles, who won three times (2011, 2012, and 2014). Like his competition, Graffard has been promoting his star horse in the media.

Los Angeles: The Outsider with Upset Potential

Aiden O’Brien’s star colt, Los Angeles, is the proverbial third wheel here. He heads to Champion’s Day after a respectable third place in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. He made the running on very soft ground, but the son of Camelot went out on his shield, eventually swallowed up late by the impressive Bluestocking.

If Los Angeles has recovered well from his Paris effort, he could cause an upset. His victory in the Irish Derby demonstrated his quality. With doubts over Economics’ ability to handle soft ground, the 7/1 odds on Los Angeles look tempting, especially if the forecast rain comes.

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a man in horse racing riding his horse
All roads lead to Ascot on Saturday, as the flat season draws to a close with its annual Champion’s Day meeting. The showpiece Champion Stakes is set to be a fantastic renewal. Some commentators, and the market, would have you believe it’s a two-horse race. Here’s why it’s not.
a man in horse racing riding his horse
Read also...