Economics and Calandagan remain on course for mouthwatering clash as fields for British Champions Day at Ascot take shape

The high-class clash between Economics and Calandagan edged a step closer after the star three-year-olds stood their ground in the Qipco Champion Stakes (3.55) on Monday.

The William Haggas-trained Economics is narrowly the 5-4 market leader to add a second Group 1 win to his haul in Ascot's Saturday highlight, having won a thrilling Irish Champion Stakes last month. That illustrious double was last completed by Magical five years ago.

He is one of 17 horses who remain in contention for the Champion Stakes at the five-day forfeits stage including Calandagan, who is set to return to the scene of his wide-margin win in the King Edward VII Stakes at the royal meeting in June.

The Francis Graffard-trained gelding then ran an admirable race when second to City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International at York's Ebor meeting and will bid to become the fifth French winner of the contest since the turn of the century.

France could also be represented by Prix Foy winner Iresine while Aidan O'Brien has left six still in contention, including Irish Derby hero Los Angeles and Yorkshire Oaks winner Content.

Also on the card, Charyn remains on course to continue his fine season with another Group 1 triumph in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (3.15).

Charyn: winner of the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville earlier this seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Roger Varian-trained four-year-old, who is set to retire at the end of the season, bids for another big-race win at Ascot, having landed the Queen Anne Stakes at the royal meeting in June.

He went on to strike at the highest level again in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville in August but must bounce back from his defeat in the Prix du Moulin last time.

Impressive Sun Chariot Stakes heroine Tamfana is still in contention as she bids to follow up her Newmarket Stakes success this month. A field of 16 could line up in the mile contest after Joel Stakes winner Prague was supplemented at a cost of £70,000.

Star stayer Kyprios is still in the Long Distance Cup (1.20) as he bids to cap off his perfect season and avenge his narrow defeat in last year's contest.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained six-year-old was denied by Trawlerman, who he looks set to face off again, 12 months ago but has won all six races since, including when landing a second Prix du Cadran last time.

He could be one of 13 possible runners in the Group 2, which also includes Doncaster Cup winner Sweet William and progressive stayer Al Nayyir.

Kinross heads 22 horses who remain in the British Champions Sprint (1.55) as he bids to win the race for the second time. His rivals could include Betfair Sprint Cup hero Montassib.

Juddmonte's highly progressive Kalpana is among the 19 horses in contention for the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (2.35).

Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup confirmations

• Al Nayyir
• Alsakib
• Belloccio
• Burdett Road
• Continuous
• Kyprios
• Point Lonsdale
• Sweet William
• Trawlerman
• Caius Chorister
• Grosvenor Square
• Illinois
• The Euphrates

Paddy Power: 8-11 Kyprios, 11-4 Trawlerman, 7-2 Al Nayyir, 11-2 Sweet William, 8 Illinois, 14 The Euphrates, 16 Continuous, 20 Belloccio, 25 Burdett Road, 33 Alsakib, 40 Caius Chorister, 50 Point Lonsdale, Grosvenor Square

Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes confirmations

• Annaf
• Art Power
• Audience
• Kinross
• Mill Stream
• Montassib
• Moss Tucker
• Shartash
• Shouldvebeenaring
• Spycatcher
• Vafortino
• Wiltshire
• Beauvatier
• Bucanero Fuerte
• Elite Status
• James’s Delight
• Kind Of Blue
• Purosangue
• Swingalong
• Unequal Love
• Vadream
• Flora Of Bermuda

bet365: 7-2 Kinross, 9-2 Montassib, 6 Kind Of Blue, 7 Unequal Love, 8 Flora Of Bermuda, 9 Mill Stream, 12 Beauvatier, 16 Elite Status, Swingalong, 20 Annaf, Art Power, Audience, Bucanero Fuerte, James's Delight, 25 Spycatcher, 33 Shartash, Shouldvebeenaring, Vadream, Vafortino, 50 Moss Tucker, Purosangue, 66 Wiltshire

Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes confirmations

• Doha
• Lumiere Rock
• Quantanamera
• Queen Of The Pride
• Royal Dress
• Sea Theme
• Sumiha
• Thunder Roll
• Tiffany
• Time Lock
• Village Voice
• Content
• Danielle
• Grateful
• Kalpana
• Lily Hart
• Port Fairy
• War Chimes
• Wingspan

bet365: 7-4 Kalpana, 7 Content, Queen Of The Pride, 8 Tiffany, Time Lock, 12 Quantanamera, 14 Grateful, Wingspan, 20 Danielle, Sumiha, War Chimes, 25 Village Voice, 33 Doha, Lumiere Rock, 40 Lily Hart, 50 Thunder Roll, 66 Port Fairy, Royal Dress, Sea Theme

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes confirmations

• Charyn
• Checkandchallenge
• Facteur Cheval
• Lord Massusus
• Poker Face
• Prague
• Quddwah
• Royal Scotsman
• Dancing Gemini
• Diego Velazquez
• Henry Longfellow
• Ice Max
• Metropolitan
• Nashwa
• Sirona
• Tamfana

Paddy Power: 11-10 Charyn, 11-2 Tamfana, 7 Metropolitan, Prague, 10 Diego Velazquez, Facteur Cheval, 14 Henry Longfellow, 16 Quddwah, 33 Dancing Gemini, Nashwa, Sirona, 40 Checkandchallenge, 50 Ice Max, Lord Massusus, 66 Poker Face, Royal Scotsman

Qipco Champion Stakes confirmations

• Al Riffa
• Anmaat
• Continuous
• Hans Andersen
• Iresine
• Luxembourg
• Royal Rhyme
• Nashwa
• Novus
• Calandagan
• Economics
• Henry Longfellow
• King’s Gambit
• Los Angeles
• Persica
• Content
• See The Fire

Paddy Power: 5-4 Economics, 2 Calandagan, 6 Los Angeles, 14 King’s Gambit, 16 Content, 20 Anmaat, Iresine, 25 Henry Longfellow, Luxembourg, 33 Al Riffa, Continuous, 40 Royal Rhyme, See The Fire, 66 Nashwa, Novus, Persica, 150 Hans Andersen 

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'I don't see the point in taking him on again' - Champions Day off the radar for Trueshan as Alan King plans to avoid Kyprios 

'He has a big shout' - French ace Facteur Cheval fancied to put it up to Charyn and co in QEII with rain forecast at Ascot 

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