Economics suffers another setback

William Haggas fears Champions Day at Ascot on October 18 will come too soon for Economics, with winter targets in the Middle East now more likely.

Last year’s Dante and Irish Champion Stakes winner was being readied for a Royal Ascot return but met with a setback.

It has been a slow recovery for the four-year-old, and Haggas is almost on the verge of admitting defeat in him running in Europe this year.

“He had an injury in the run up to Ascot and he’s not going to make Ireland, I’ve taken him out of Ireland but I’ve left him in the Champion Stakes,” Haggas told Sky Sports Racing.

“I suspect he might not even be ready to run his best by then, so somewhere in the Middle East in the winter could be his first port of call.

“I’m delighted to say his sporting owner has confirmed he’s going to stay in training next year and I hope we’ll get a clear run with him then.

“It’s been a sensationally frustrating time for us with him.”