'We were possibly wrong to run him' - Haggas team blame deep ground for Economics' defeat in Champion Stakes

The ground, officially described as soft, heavy in places at Ascot on Saturday, has been given as the reason for Economics' first defeat since his debut, with Maureen Haggas questioning whether they should have even run the 2-1 second favourite.

Economics dominated the Champion Stakes ante-post market from the moment he won the Irish Champion Stakes last month, but with the switch to the inner course and the rain continuing to fall on Champions Day, his price drifted with eventual runner-up Calandagan going off the well-supported 6-4 favourite.

Speaking from Longchamp on Sunday, where she was on hand to saddle Hamish to finish second to the brilliant Goliath, the wife and second in command to the colt's trainer William Haggas said: "He was beaten three lengths, which isn't far, and in hindsight, which is a marvellous thing, we were possibly wrong to run him on such heavy ground. It requires so much more effort."