Economics one of 12 left in Irish Champion Stakes as star-studded Leopardstown and Curragh potential line-ups become clearer

A star-studded Irish Champions Festival is expected after the majority of the big names in contention stood their ground on Tuesday, with rising star Economics set to take on Auguste Rodin and Los Angeles in Saturday's highlight at Leopardstown.

The €1,250,000 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (3.25) is the headline act of the two-day meeting and looks a truly international affair, with Britain, Ireland and Japan all set to be represented.

Trained by William Haggas, Economics has showcased his immense potential in wins at York and Deauville and is set for a first opportunity in Group 1 company. However, he is expected to face a strong team from Aidan O'Brien as he targets a record-extended 13th win in the race. It is anticipated Ryan Moore will ride Auguste Rodin, last year's winner and a Breeders' Cup hero, with Irish Derby victor Los Angeles among five in the mix for Ballydoyle.

Shin Emperor is an intriguing representative from Japan before he runs in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, while Ghostwriter adds further depth to the Irish Champion, run over a mile and a quarter.

Porta Fortuna: favourite for the Matron StakesCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Saturday's other Group 1 highlight at Leopardstown, the Coolmore America "Justify" Matron Stakes (2.50), has been whittled down to 14 runners with Porta Fortuna and Fallen Angel both remaining in contention.

The action moves to the Curragh on Sunday, a card featuring four consecutive Group 1s – the Flying Five Stakes (3.00), Moyglare Stud Stakes (3.35), Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (4.10) and the Comer Group International Irish St. Leger (4.45).

Bradsell, who dazzled in last month's Nunthorpe Stakes at York, could face up to 19 rivals in the Flying Five. They include Believing, who chased home Bradsell on the Knavesmire and is a course winner at the Curragh.

The unbeaten Bedtime Story, who has won twice since dazzling in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, is set for the Moyglare as one of eight possible runners. Juddmonte's Babouche, who beat subsequent Prix Morny winner Whistlejacket in last month's Phoenix Stakes, will however miss Sunday's Curragh assignment and could instead run in the Cheveley Park. 

The Hugo Palmer-trained Seagulls Eleven, who is owned by a group of Brighton and Hove Albion footballers and runs in the Premier League club's blue and white colours, is set to take his chance in the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes. He could face up to nine rivals, including the Aidan O'Brien-trained trio of Henry Matisse, The Parthenon and Rock Of Cashel.

The Irish St. Leger is the last Group 1 of the meeting and will see superstar stayer Kyprios take on a maximum of nine runners. Vauban has also been left in although the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old, who recently won the Lonsdale Cup at York, has November's Melbourne Cup as his main target.

Fox Sports will be broadcasting action from both days of Irish Champions Festival to its audience in the US for the first time, with Racecourse Media Group and HBA Media working to secure coverage in 150 countries in total for the lucrative meeting.

Irish Champion Stakes (3.25 Leopardstown, Saturday)

Paddy Power: 11-10 Economics, 5-2 Auguste Rodin, 5 Los Angeles, 10 Luxembourg, Ghostwriter, 12 Shin Emperor, 14 Continuous, 33 Facteur Cheval, Metropolitan, Royal Rhyme, 40 Zarakem, 200 Hans Andersen

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