Qipco Champion Stakes (Group 1) 

Good ground has given us a great day’s racing at Ascot today with an exceptional Champion Stakes.

We get round three of Ombudsman and Delacroix, with Calandagan and Economics adding spice to the mix.

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The market favours John and Thady Gosden’s Ombudsman at 7/4f on the back of the International win at York. He reversed the form of the Coral-Eclipse, where Delacroix showed a potent turn of foot that was decisive. At York, it wasn’t displayed; Delacroix suffered from the grind it became, Godolphin got the tactics right with their pacemaker, just.

Both Ballydoyle and Godolphin employ pacemakers, with Mount Kilmanjaro travelling from Ireland and Devil’s Advocate having been supplemented by the Gosdens.

Francis-Henry Gaffard’s Calandagan would have preferred a more autumnal feel to the ground; however, he is looking to add a third Group 1 to his CV. Four times a runner-up at Group 1 level (including in this last year), he went one better with authoritative performances in taking the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and following up in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, both over 1m4f. He’s the big mover in the market today, backed into 5/2 second favourite.

Economics, a 12/1 shot, will be making his first start of the season. He was a really good winner of the Irish Champion Stakes last year, but in his next run, his last run, in this, he got stuck in the mud.

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Delacroix showed that turn of foot we saw at Sandown in the Eclipse back at Leopardstown for the Irish Champion Stakes. 2½f out he swopped, in a matter of strides, he put the field to the sword. maintaining the gallop to the line to win comfortably. The market has been cold on him today, drifting out to 9/2 with most bookmakers.

Almeric is lightly raced, a three-year-old, he’ll be having his fifth run. He was beaten first time out but has won his last three, the last two at Listed level. Odds of 12/1 recognise his improvement.

Almaqam got the better of Ombudsman in the G3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown in April, but hasn’t added to that since. He was beaten in the Sky Bet York Stakes and then in the Prix Foy. Odds of 25/1 recognise his disimprovement.

Fox Legacy, a 28/1 shot, has won his last two. He would be taking a considerable step up and needs a career best to get involved here.

First Look also travels from France. Andre Farbe has him in prime shape, having won at Listed, G3, and G2 level in his last three; he deserves a step into G1 company. In the hands of a master, he can outrun his 28/1 show.

Prague, an ex-Ballydoyle inmate, sold for buttons, reaches for the stars; he did win a G2 over a mile last year, so he has proved himself a brilliant purchase, and he’s a son of Galileo. The 200/1 available puts his chances on the same terms as the pacemakers, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Devil’s Advocate.

Conclusion

After a year off, it would be some training feat by Willie Haggas to welcome Ecomonics back into the winners’ enclosure; it can’t be ruled out, however, it’s more likely to be between Ombudsman, Delacroix, and Calandagan. The fear for the latter is that this 10f test might be on the sharp side.

In round three, let’s hope the pacemakers do their job, and more importantly, the jockeys too. No one wants to see a repeat of York. Given an even pace, Delacroix can make the score two-one in favour of Ballydoyle.

Footnote

Aidan O’Brien has won 22 Group 1’s so far this year, a good day at Ascot today brings him ever closer to breaking his record of 28 set in 2017.

Recommendation

Delacroix 9/2 win

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