Confirmed runners and riders for the Irish Champion Stakes - plus a tip and free bet

Economics will bid for a first Group 1 in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (3.25) on Saturday as he was declared in a field of eight for the 1m2f Group 1 along with last year's winner Auguste Rodin, who is one of four runners for Aidan O'Brien.

After bolting six lengths clear in the Dante in May, Economics returned to the track in the Group 2 Guillaume d'Ornano Stakes at Deauville last month and beat Jayarebe by two lengths.

The last British-trained winner came in 2018 when Roaring Lion edged out Saxon Warrior and Ballydoyle have claimed all five renewals since.

Auguste Rodin, wo will be ridden by Ryan Moore, can emulate previous Ballydoyle inmates Magical and Dylan Thomas by landing successive wins in the race after he defeated stablemate Luxembourg by half a length 12 months ago. Last season's dual Derby winner scored again in Group 1 company at Royal Ascot in the Prince of Wales's Stakes but could only manage fifth in the King George on his latest start.

O'Brien's challenge is further bolstered by this year's Irish Derby winner Los Angeles (Dylan Browne McMonagle), Coronation Cup winner Luxembourg (Declan McDonogh) and Hans Andersen (Chris Hayes). 

Los Angeles was last seen taking the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last month and will drop back to 1m2f for the first time since landing a derby trial over course and distance in May, while Luxembourg took the Coronation Cup at Epsom on his penultimate start before finishing sixth in the King George.

There is further British representation with the Clive Cox-trained Ghostwriter and the Karl Burke stable are set to saddle Royal Rhyme. Shin Emperor gives the race an international dimension as he travels over from Japan for Yoshito Yahagi having finished third in the Japanese Derby when last seen in May.

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Irish Champion Stakes field: confirmed runners and riders

• Auguste Rodin Ryan Moore
• Hans Andersen Chris Hayes
• Luxembourg Declan McDonogh
• Royal Rhyme Clifford Lee
• Economics Tom Marquand
• Ghostwriter Richard Kingscote
• Los Angeles Dylan Browne McMonagle
• Shin Emperor Ryusei Sakai

How the market is shaping up for Saturday's big race

Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (3.25 Leopardstown, Saturday)

Paddy Power: 11-8 Economics, 5-2 Auguste Rodin, 11-2 Los Angeles, 10 Luxembourg, Ghostwriter, 12 Shin Emperor, 33 Royal Rhyme, 200 Hans Andersen 

Irish Champion Stakes tips, predictions and 1-2-3 verdicts

By Stuart Redding, tipster

1 Auguste Rodin
2 Los Angeles
3 Economics

All eyes will be on Economics after his impressive Group 2 wins this season, but the lightly raced three-year-old faces his toughest test yet and I am willing to take him on with last year’s winner Auguste Rodin. The Aidan O’Brien-trained four-year-old has won an impressive six Group 1 races, including last year’s Derby, and looks a fair price.

Auguste Rodin15:25 Leopardstown

View Racecard

Jky: Tnr: A P O'Brien

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Confirmed runners and riders for the St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday - plus a tip and free bet 

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