Calandagan, runner-up behind Breeders’ Cup Traditional prospect Metropolis Of Troy within the Juddmonte Worldwide at York on his final look, heads a powerful area for the Group 1 Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
The winner of the King Edward VII Stakes on the similar monitor in June will face 11 rivals within the remaining all-aged British Group 1 race of the season as he bids to offer France with an eighth victory on British Champions Day and be part of named reminiscent of Cirrus Des Aigles (2011), Almanzor (2016) and Sealiway (2021) as a winner of the Qipco Champion Stakes.
Talking through the previous week, Francis-Henri Graffard, Calandagan’s coach, mentioned:
“Every thing is effectively with Calandagan and he appears in superb form. He has had a little bit of time since York and, offered all goes effectively between now and Champions Day, he will likely be spot on for the Champion Stakes.”
Economics, winner of the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown final month when beating Auguste Rodin, is the principle market challenger to the French-trained Aga Khan-owned colt.
Los Angeles, winner of the Dubai Responsibility Free Irish Derby and third positioned within the latest Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp, is certainly one of two Aidan O’Brien-trained runners within the one mile two furlong contest.
He will likely be ably backed up by Steady, winner of the 2023 St Leger at Doncaster, however who completed disappointingly at ParisLongchamp on his most up-to-date run.
The Qipco British Champion Stakes, certainly one of 4 Group 1 races on the Ascot card on Saturday, goes to submit at 3.55pm – the penultimate race of a six-race card, with over £4 million in prize cash obtainable on the day.