3 minute read
Stellar Qipco British Champion Day card begins to take shape after five-day confirmations.
The unbeaten Economics remains on track to take on the high-class French raider Calandagan after both three-year-olds stood their ground in what looks like a mouthwatering Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot.
William Haggas' Economics is a general 5/4 chance to keep his unbeaten record intact as he bids to become the first horse to complete the Irish-British Champion Stakes double since the Aidan O'Brien-trained Magical in 2019.
The striking son of Night Of Thunder looks set to take on the French raider Calandagan, who was one of seventeen horses to remain in contention following Monday's five-day forfeit stage.
Francis Graffard's gelding is just 2/1 to get back to winning ways, after following up his wide-margin success in the King Edward VII Stakes at the royal meeting with an excellent second-place finish behind City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International.
Aidan O'Brien has left six horses in contention with Irish Derby hero Los Angeles, who was third in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe last month, featuring alongside York Oaks winner Content and Henry Longfellow.
Charyn out to claim further Group 1 honours
Roger Varian's Charyn will face a maximum of fifteen rivals in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot this weekend. The Dark Angel colt, who is set to retire at the end of the season, will be bidding to add further Group 1 honours to his illustrious CV this season after victories in the Queen Anne Stakes at the royal meeting and Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville, although he does have to bounce back from defeat in the Prix du Moulin last time.
Dylan Cunha's impressive Joel Stakes winner Prague has been added to the line-up at a cost of £70,000, while Tamfana looks set for a quick turnaround after her commanding breakthrough Group 1 triumph in the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket earlier this month.
King Kyprios remains in Long Distance Cup
Aidan O'Brien's superstar stayer Kyprios remains in the Long Distance Cup at Ascot after Monday's five-day confirmation stage. A commanding winner of the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp on the 5th of October, the Aidan O'Brien-trained six-year-old will attempt to make it a perfect seven wins from seven outings this season when facing the likes of Trawlerman, who narrowly denied Kyprios in this same contest twelve months ago, and Tom Clover's exciting stayer Al Nayyir.
Elsewhere on the card, 22 horses remain in contention for the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes, while Andrew Balding's exciting September Stakes winner Kalpana looks on course to take on a maximum of eighteen horses in the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.
