'That went as well as we'd hoped' - William Haggas happy with Champion Stakes fancy Economics after Rowley Mile workout

The long-absent Economics was on the money in a pre-race workout on the Rowley Mile on Saturday, which "went as well as we'd hoped" according to trainer William Haggas.

The flashy chestnut was partnered by Classic-winning rider Ted Durcan in a mile workout with fellow Group 1-winning stablemate Dubai Honour (Andrew Tinkler) and lead horse Irish Admiral (Michael Hills), and he moved nicely out of the Dip to finish a length to the good.

Economics is a 12-1 chance with Paddy Power for the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot in a fortnight, a race in which he was last seen finishing sixth to Anmaat a year ago.

The son of Night Of Thunder had a setback when being prepared for his intended reappearance at Royal Ascot in the summer, and Haggas and his Somerville Lodge team have been playing catch-up ever since.

Haggas said afterwards: "Economics moved well and finished off nicely and that's gone as well as we'd hoped. We are trying to get him to Ascot and this was part of the process. He'll do a bit more next Thursday or Friday and we'll know whether he's ready."

William Haggas assesses Economics following his Newmarket canterCredit: Steve Davies

He added of the change of scene: "He usually works at 6am but we wanted to get him back on a racecourse, but there weren't many people about as they were inside. 

"He looks great just two weeks away from Ascot and we hope to run as it's a prestigious race, but we won't be going for just a day out. Beyond that there is a big race in Bahrain, the International, where his owner lives. If he doesn't make Ascot then there's a Listed race back here on November 1, but that would be pushing it for Bahrain (November 14)."

The Bahrain International Trophy is the nation's highlight of the racing season, where Economics’ owner Sheikh Isa Salman Al Khalifa is chairman of the nation’s racing governing body. The race has been won for the past two years by Spirit Dancer, part-owned and bred by Sir Alex Ferguson.

As for Dubai Honour, Haggas said: "He's chasing money, he's eight and has engagements in Italy, Germany or France, but Italy is more likely. Probably the Gran Premio del Jockey Club at San Siro. Beyond that is the Japan Cup in November in which he gets a $200,000 bonus just for turning up."

Qipco Champion Stakes (Ascot, October 18)
Paddy Power: 7-4 Ombudsman, 9-4 Calandagan, 5 Delacroix, 7 Almaqam, 12 Almeric, Economics, 16 bar.

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