Sam King takes a look at the mouthwatering clash between Economics and Calandagan in Saturday’s Qipco British Champion Stakes at Ascot…
Ascot in October. Where champions are crowned. We might not have City Of Troy lining up in this year's Group 1 Qipco British Champion Stakes on Saturday but whilst Aidan O'Brien's sparkling son of Justify gears up for a world-famous tilt at the Breeders' Cup Classic across the pond, all eyes will be on two able deputies, with Economics and Calandagan ready to take to the Berkshire battleground.
The pair continue to flip-flop in the betting in the lead-up to Ascot's autumn showpiece and it's hardly surprising given their respective profiles. Patiently trained by William Haggas, Economics hasn't looked back since winning the Dante Stakes at York in May, landing the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano on his reappearance at Longchamp before a hard-fought victory over multiple Group 1-winner Auguste Rodin in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown last month.
It's very tough to pick holes in the son Night Of Thunder, who at present, has answered every call to Tom Marquand's urgings. His battling qualities were evident when he had to dig deep to fight off the classy Auguste Rodin at Leopardstown and it's probably fair to say you can upgrade that performance given he raced widest throughout for much of the ten-furlong prize. Soft ground is a complete unknown, but there's reason to believe he'll handle it on pedigree and there appear to be few concerns coming from the Somerville Lodge camp.
The Qipco Champion Stakes has been a happy hunting ground for Gallic raiders, with Cirrus des Aigles, Almanzor and Sealiway all successfully flying the flag for France in recent years. This it's Calandagan who looks the pick of the French challengers and it's fairly obvious when you look through the formbook as to why he's fighting it out at the top of the market.
A Group 3 winner on testing ground at Longchamp in May, it's unlikely many racing fans on this side of the Channel knew much about Calandagan as he headed into the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot a month later. However, one thing's for sure, they certainly did after. Francis-Henri Graffard's three-year-old quickly announced himself on the big stage when spreadeagling the field to score by a sensational six lengths, a performance that would set up a crack at Aidan O'Brien's City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International. Whilst Calandagan proved no match for City Of Troy on Knavesmire, there's no doubt he left Yorkshire with his reputation enhanced.
With no City Of Troy standing in his way and the return to Ascot a sizeable positive, it's easy to see why his credentials are so strong. However, this could turn into a tactical affair and there has to be a nagging concern about his draw in stall one. Jockey Stephane Pasquier continues to ride at the top of his game, but he may well have to work some magic from the inside gate, with main market rival Economics situated out on stall six. Tom Marquand will almost certainly have options inside the opening few furlongs, but Pasquier's hand could be forced with racing room likely to be at a premium down towards the rail.
With that in mind, Saturday's test may just suit Economics more and when you take into account that it's unlikely he's reached his ceiling yet, William Haggas' charge is preferred of the big two in the betting.
Outside of the two market leaders, Aidan O'Brien's Irish Derby hero Los Angeles adds further depth, and he certainly won't be found wanting for stamina back over ten furlongs on testing ground.
Calandagan isn't the only horse flying the flag for France and Iresine, who bids to give jockey Marie Velon a first career success in Britain, shouldn't be taken lightly after winning the Group 2 Prix Foy by a head at Longchamp last month. That said, if there's an each-way bet in the contest then it could be Anmaat.
Owen Burrows' lightly-raced six-year-old was well-beaten in the Group 2 Prix Dollar at Longchamp on Arc weekend, but he shaped better than the bare result that day and was always likely to struggle when Jayarebe was allowed to dictate matters under Sean Levey. Ascot should be right up his street and with a decent gallop to aim at almost guaranteed, last year's Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan winner can outrun his odds of 25/1.
WIN: ECONOMICS
EACH-WAY: ANMAAT
