Racecourse gallop in the pipeline for Economics

William Haggas is keen to get a racecourse gallop into Economics, as he bids to win a race against time to get his stable star fit enough to run in the Qipco Champion Stakes.

The four-year-old has not been seen since finishing sixth in the Ascot showpiece 12 months ago, having previously won the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

A setback has kept him off the track all season, but Haggas is more positive about him returning to action soon, with the Bahrain International on the agenda should he not make Ascot.

“We’re trying very hard. He had an injury in the summer which completely set us back, but he’s back in work now and he looks great,” said Haggas on Racing TV.

“We’re trying very hard to get him to the Champion Stakes. If we fail I think he’s very likely to go to Bahrain for His Highness’ (Sheikh Isa) race which would be a big occasion for all of us.

“He’s got a lot of work to do now, he’s missed all of the summer of his prime time so we’ll be keeping him going through the winter, I suspect, but I’d love to get him to the Champion Stakes if I can.

“I don’t see why he wouldn’t retain his ability. There’s a chance, I haven’t done anything about it yet, that he could go to Newmarket before racing next Saturday, but I haven’t spoken to anyone about that.

“I think he’ll need a racecourse gallop somewhere and he may as well do it in front of a few people to get his blood up. He’s coming along very nicely and we hope.”