William Haggas can pull off a training masterclass with ECONOMICS (4.05) in the £1.4million Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot.
The fascinating Group One has pulled in the top two older horses in Europe, Ombudsman and Calandagan, plus Delacroix, the crack three-year-old with a potent turn of foot.
But Economics, not seen since last year’s meeting when an underperforming sixth in this race, is not that far behind the star trio on official BHA ratings.
Haggas went on record to say the chestnut was an immature horse at three, after he shot to prominence with a six-length Dante Stakes supremacy at York.
All class there, Economics also showed he had the heart for a battle by edging out six-time top flight hero Auguste Rodin in the Irish Champion Stakes.
Already at an excellent standard, Haggas previously stated his horse could be better a year on – and he is not the trainer to run if he was not 100 per cent satisfied.
Backers have to take a chance Economics can handle the demands of a tough race given his issues but odds of 14-1 are value for him to make the frame at least.
On an afternoon for comebacks, former Derby favourite THE LION IN WINTER (3.25) is tipped to finish first in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
The mile event has drawn the biggest field since 2019, with Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes conqueror leading the way.
An instant success as a juvenile, the Sea The Stars offspring has been a work in progress this year after a slow start.
A non-stayer at distances in excess of a mile, The Lion In Winter may well have taken the Group One Prix Jean Prat had he got going earlier at Deauville and had to do the chasing on his own when third in Longchamp’s Prix du Moulin.
That was encouraging considering the ground was the softest he had faced and another step forward can be expected, amid positive ante-post market vibes.
The inaugural running of the Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes can go to SIREN SUIT (1.30), whose dam Angel’s Hideaway has a Group Three to her name over course and distance.
Third to the classy Wise Approach at this track back in April, when Churchill’s son got noticeably warm, he missed the core summer season but has the pedigree to be much better than the handicapper’s initial assessment of 88.
Ascot’s straight mile is perfect for Royal Hunt Cup fourth GREEK ORDER (5.00), expected to eke out a little more in first-time cheekpieces and Jack Callan taking off a valuable 5lb.
