We may be entering the final stages of the flat season, but the 2024 Champion Stakes has all the ingredients to make this one of the season’s best races.
We have the two hugely progressive 3-year-olds in Economics and Calandagan going head-to-head, and when we add in so many solid Group performers, then we have the makings of a race to remember.
The size of the field only adds to the drama and ‘what ifs’ regarding potential traffic problems in the closing stages.
Here, I will give you my runner-by-runner guide on all 12 runners in the 2024 Qipco Champion Stakes, along with the best online bookmakers, to help you make your Champions Day bet a winning one.
Qipco Champion Stakes: Runner by runner guide
Now it’s time to take a in-dept looking into runners of the Qipco Champion Stakes and the best horse racing bookmakers to help you make a winning bet.
Economics
Age: 3
Form: 4-1111
Rating: 123
Jockey: Tom Marquand
Trainer: William Haggas
Odds: 11/8
This season, you will find it hard to see a more physically impressive three-year-old than Economics.
The son of Night Of Thunder has been a rising star this season, racking up four wins in a row.
Having started the season winning a maiden over 1m in April, he ran away with the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York, beating Ancient Wisdom (Group 3 winner since) in May.
A setback meant he missed the Derby and was not seen until the 15th of August, when he lined up for the Group 2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano.
When you look back at his win in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano, you would be forgiven for thinking that he would not be winning from where he was positioned three furlongs out, given that it was his first run back in 91 days. But, he duly responded to Tom Marquand’s urgings and picked up to win by a comfortable two lengths.
He now comes here after a Group 1 success after taking the Irish Champions Stakes last month from Auguste Rodin.
That win shot him to the top of the market.
He holds Los Angeles on through their running in the Irish Champion Stakes, and with every other entire rated far inferior to him, bar Calandagan, this could set up for a bust-up between two of the most exciting three-year-olds in training.
He has 2lb to find with Calandagan on ratings, but given that this will only be his sixth career start, there is more expectation than hope that he will be able to run a career-best.
There will be no ground worries, and given his rapid rise, it may take a monumental performance to finish ahead of him today.
Unbeaten this season
Yet to see the full extent of his ability
No ground worries
Wouldn’t want exaggerated hold-up tactics here
Star Rating:
Bet on Economics with talkSPORT BET
Calandagan
Age: 3
Form: -21112
Rating: 125
Jockey: Stephane Pasquier
Trainer: F-H Graffard
Odds: 13/8
The first of two French raiders and a considerable talent, Calandagan comes in today with a lot to offer.
He has been cleaning up in Group 2s in France and had a successful trip to Royal Ascot when winning the Group 2 King Edwards VII stakes over 1m4f.
But it was his second-to-champion three-year-old City Of Troy, where he put in his best performance to date in the Group 1 Juddmonte International.
There was a moment when everyone thought he would sweep on by City Of Troy down the home straight and win going away, but we all know what happens when City Of Troy is let down.
He was over three lengths clear of third that day, and a reproduction of that run will have him bang there with Economics.
There is every chance the Calandagan can become the fourth French-trained horse to take the Champions Stakes (Cirrus Des Aigles 2011, Almanzor 2016, & Sealiway 2021).
Comes in here on the back of a career-best
Goes on any ground
Still on the up
He has been on the go for a long time this season
Star Rating:
Los Angeles
Age: 3
Form: 131143
Rating: 120
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Odds: 15/2
I’ve been a big fan of Los Angeles all season, and he ran a huge race to finish third in the Prix de l’Arc behind the superstar filly Bluestocking.
I worry that this may be one race too many at the top level.
Four of his six runs this season have been in Group 1s (Irish Derby winner), and with the huge effort he put in just over two weeks ago in the Arc, I fear the spark may be fading for this season.
He should be fighting it out for the placings, but that may be the best you can wish for.
Group 1 winner
Mixing it at the top level all season
Huge run in the Arc
This may be one race too many
Star Rating:
Bet on Los Angeles with Spreadex
Iresine
Age: 7
Form: 19-141
Rating: 117
Jockey: Mme Marie Velon
Trainer: J-P Gauvin
Odds: 14/1
The oldest horse in the lineup but one who is not without a place chance going on win in the Group 2 Qatar Prix Foy (Continuous 3rd).
The issue here is that we know exactly the level that Iresine can perform at, and at the age of seven, it would be a miracle if he could improve enough to outperform some of these talented three-year-olds.
He should run his race, but he would be a shock winner, given that his best form is over further.
A game-winner last time out
His best form is over further
He’s 7
Star Rating:
King’s Gambit
Age: 3
Form: 2-1223
Rating: 116
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Trainer: Harry Charlton
Odds: 20/1
This will be King’s Gambit’s first crack at Group 1 level.
He has performed solidly when beaten less than a length in a Group 3 and two Group 2s.
He handled soft ground when encountering it last season, so he should be fine on the forecasted going, which may lead to him outrunning his odds.
A solid performer at Group 2 level
Has yet to be tried at Group 1 level
Has no wins in Group 3 or Group 2 level
Star Rating:
Bet on King’s Gambit with Copybet
Anmaat
Age: 6
Form: /21-15
Rating: 115
Jockey: Jim Crowley
Trainer: Owen Burrows
Odds: 33/1
Anmaat is one that I can safely say that I give him a very slim chance of running close to the places here.
Now a six-year-old, there have been clear signs that his best days are well behind him.
His defeat in Group 2 on soft ground last time out at Longchamp when sent off 6/5 favourite only adds to his growing list of negatives here.
I would be shocked if he was able to get involved here.
None to report
Well beaten on soft ground last time out
Signs of regression
Star Rating:
Nashwa
Age: 5
Form: 236-95
Rating: 117
Jockey: Holly Doyle
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Odds: 50/1
Formally a Group 1 winner, Nashwa has the back class, but she is another runner who looks like she has had enough of racing.
Even though she is entitled to come on for her comeback run at Newmarket, she showed next to nothing to convince me that she is in love with the game anymore.
It was an easy pass today.
Entitled to come on for her comeback run
Looks to have had enough of racing
Nowhere near as good as she once was
Star Rating:
Royal Rhyme
Age: 4
Form: -15467
Rating: 116
Jockey: Clifford Lee
Trainer: Karl Burke
Odds: 50/1
Having started the season with a Group 3 win on soft ground, Royal Rhyme has held his own in Group 1 races.
His current price of 50/1 looks very generous, considering that he will handle the ground and only finished three lengths off Economics in the Irish Champion Stakes.
He’s very much a lively outside here, and one not to rule out of the places.
Will handle the ground
Ran a big race last time out behind Economics
Yet to place in Group 1 level
Star Rating:
Bet on Royal Rhyme with talkSPORT BET
Continuous
Age: 4
Form: 5-5130
Rating: 114
Jockey: Christophe Soumillon
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Odds: 66/1
Continuous has become one of the most frustrating horses in training. He has shown glimpses that he can be much better than his current mark, as shown when finishing third in the 2023 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
But, repeatedly, he has failed to show his true capabilities.
Having started the season off with a Group 3 win and then an odds-on defeat was next at Longchamp over 1m4f. He then was beaten out of sight in the 2024 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
You would need divine inspiration to give him a chance here, but it would be like him to put in a huge run out of nowhere.
Has it in him to run a big race
Has repeatedly failed to live up to his true talent
Star Rating:
Persica
Age: 3
Form: 410131
Rating: 112
Jockey: Sean Levey
Trainer: Richard Hannon
Odds: 66/1
A listed winner last time out has been the highlight for Persica so far in his career, and he would be very well to better that here.
He has a mountain to climb here and even has over five lengths to find with King’s Gambit (he gave Persica 1lb).
So all in all, where he to place, it would be a shock.
Comes in here on the back of a win
This is the biggest test he has faced in his career
Has a mountain to climb on form
Star Rating:
See The Fire
Age: 3
Form: 054213
Rating: 113
Jockey: Daniel Tudhope
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Odds: 66/1
See The Fire is a filly that processes a lot of talent, as seen in her placement in a Group 1 company as a two and three-year-old.
For me, she was a bit disappointing in the Sun Chariot last time out and may have been feeling the effects of a long season.
But where she to bounce back here, there is a case to be made that she may be able to fill a place.
Group 1 placed this season
Looked to be feeling the effects of a long season last time out
Star Rating:
Novus
Age: 4
Form: 205410
Rating: 107
Jockey: Tom Queally
Trainer: Gary & Josh Moore
Odds: 100/1
If there is ever a filly who thrives when meeting deep ground, then Novus is at the top of the list.
She comes alive on the ground and runs above and beyond expectations.
Now, this is something of a long shot, to say the least, but if the ground were to come up heavy, no one would be more adaptable than her to relish conditions and maybe run into fourth or fifth past beaten horses.
Is she out of it on ratings and everything we have seen? Yes. But this is the end of a long season for many, and on ground that they will not like.
If she drops out and it turns into a slog, there is a small chance she could run above and beyond her odds of 100/1.
She might be an option for a ‘pick your places’ bet at a huge price.
She will relish the soft ground
Looks well out of it on ratings
Star Rating:
Qipco Champion Stakes verdict
I’m finding it very hard to choose between the top two in the market, but I have decided to go with Economics.
He is a beautiful-looking colt who has done nothing but improve with each run this season. Given that he has had a mid-season break, he may just find the big extra when heads are bowed, and jockeys are in full flow in the finish.
Royal Rhyme at a price may be able to fill a place.
About the author
Andrew Halligan
My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.
You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).
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