'It's an Irish Champion Stakes and a proper one - he's going to have to be every bit as good as we hope he is'

Economics exploded on to the scene as a colt of immense potential when blasting six lengths clear in the Dante Stakes in May and his acid test comes today against several proven Group 1 performers in the Irish Champion Stakes.

It will be fascinating to see how his price fares in the market given it’s his first foray into Group 1 company for trainer William Haggas, who operates at a 24 per cent strike-rate at this level in Ireland. He is plunged into a race that has four Aidan O’Brien-trained contenders, who will be key to how the contest is run.

The three-year-old looked something out of the ordinary at York but didn't reappear until three months later, when he tackled the Group 2 Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville, justifying 11-10 favouritism with the minimum of fuss. He didn't seem to be travelling too smoothly as they turned for home on that occasion, but he was building a head of steam throughout the duration of the straight and the after-burners really kicked in half a furlong from home.

He powered two lengths clear of Jayarebe, who had beaten King's Gambit in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot, and the pair pulled six lengths clear of the field. Economics is entitled to improve for the run and it's very hard to poke holes in the form. However, this is a huge step up and he could be a hostage to fortune regarding tactics.

At York and Deauville, Tom Marquand has ridden him patiently and that will likely be the case again but he is drawn in the widest berth in eight. Ballydoyle hold the key to the race with habitual front runners Hans Andersen and Luxembourg drawn in six and seven, while Auguste Rodin has been positioned more prominently in his races of late.

It's not easy to envisage how Ballydoyle approach this as Los Angeles and Auguste Rodin are far from short on stamina over this trip, so they will likely want a decent gallop. However, Auguste Rodin's ideal set of circumstances are sitting on the heels of the leaders before kicking for home early in the straight as he only does enough in front and is difficult to get past once he's there.

Leopardstown can lend itself to hard luck stories and there have been plenty in this race through the years. Economics is undoubtedly a hugely exciting colt, but he will likely turn into the straight with work to do and top-class horses such as Auguste Rodin and Luxembourg still to pass.

That makes a shade of odds against on the skinny side.

Auguste Rodin is a phenomenal horse on his day and we might not have got to the bottom of him yet given he pulls himself up as soon as he gets to the lead, as he did in this race 12 months ago before showing the same inclination when landing the Breeders' Cup Turf and the Prince of Wales's Stakes in June.

It's well documented that he's prone to an off-day and that came in the King George last time when he was fifth behind Goliath. That was underwhelming, but he was too close to a ferocious pace set by his two stablemates which meant he couldn't quicken to the lead early in the straight like he usually does as those positioned at the head of affairs fell into a bit of a hole.

Los Angeles is a very likeable Classic winner but this trip is going to be on the sharp side for him. He should acquit himself well but he will likely be tapped for toe at some stage, which will probably cost him.

Luxembourg can't be dismissed having won this race in 2022 and finished second last year, while it's interesting that cheekpieces are applied for the first time. He's done little wrong this season and was impressive in the Coronation Cup, albeit runner-up Hamish hasn't advertised the form well since. He shaped well when sixth in the King George given he contributed to the unsustainable gallop and he's a really solid each-way play.

Ghostwriter ran a huge race in the Juddmonte International to finish third behind City Of Troy after a similarly admirable effort in the Eclipse. He has his upsides as an each-way play at a double-figure price, but it's hard to see him winning.

The Japanese-trained Shin Emperor finished third in his native Derby when last seen in May but has to cope with a layoff and a drop in trip. Royal Rhyme is worth his place in the line-up but he's well held on recent form by a few of these, while Hans Andersen will be on pacemaking duty.

'We were delighted with his last piece of work' – Rodin ready for Economics showdown

Roaring Lion was the last British-trained horse to land the Irish Champion Stakes when he edged out the Aidan O'Brien-trained Saxon Warrior six years ago but O'Brien has asserted dominance in the 1m2f Group 1 since with the last five winners all hailing from Ballydoyle.

Auguste Rodin took last year's race in what was a sensational three-year-old campaign which included wins in the Derby and Irish Derby, this race and the Breeders' Cup Turf. Should he land successive victories, he will emulate esteemed past Ballydoyle inmates Magical and Dylan Thomas.

Auguste Rodin (striped cap) heads the run to the line in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown

Auguste Rodin (striped cap): bids to repeat last year's successCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Ballydoyle rely on four contenders with Irish Derby winner Los Angeles and four-time Group 1 scorer and previous winner of this race Luxembourg firmly in the mix, while habitual pacesetter Hans Andersen also lines up.

"Auguste Rodin is in very good form and we were all delighted with his last piece of work," said O'Brien. "Everything has gone very well with him in the lead-up to the race and we couldn't be happier really.

"Los Angeles might find a mile and a quarter on the sharp side but it will be a good test and a good prep for him with the Arc in mind. It's going to be very interesting to see how he gets on.

"Luxembourg is a straightforward, honest horse who can race a bit lazily so we've put cheekpieces on him. They will do him no harm anyway and won't be a disadvantage. Hans Andersen is an honest horse who will give his all and seems in good nick."

What they say

Tom Marquand, rider of Economics
This was the obvious target after France and it's brilliant that he's going here. It's wonderful for his highness Sheikh Isa and his family to have a runner in a race that they sponsor. It's an Irish Champion Stakes and a proper one, it's not an easy race and there are proven Group 1 horses in there. It's a deep field and to win he's going to have to be every bit as good as we're hoping he's going to be.

Clive Cox, trainer of Ghostwriter
I am pleased with the way he came back from York. He has been a model of consistency all season. It's another tough assignment, but I couldn't be happier with the horse and the ground will hopefully be to his liking. He's in excellent form.

Yoshito Yahagi, trainer of Shin Emperor
The horse has been in Chantilly for a long time, which has a good environment, but he seemed a little too relaxed, so I’m happy that on Saturday we can give him a bit more energy and get a rehearsal for the Arc. From the perspective of the pedigree, I think that this horse's true potential can be best demonstrated on European tracks. I don't think that Japanese tracks are suited to him, and looking at the way he trained on the turf courses in France, I think that European turf would suit him. He is still in good condition, and the opposition is very strong. I'm looking forward to seeing how he can do.

Irish Champions Festival previews:

2.15: Diego Velazquez bids to maintain perfect record at Leopardstown in Solonaway clash with Maljoom

2.50: 'Faultless' Porta Fortuna sets the standard in star-studded Group 1 Matron Stakes

David Jennings: Economics v Auguste Rodin is the dish of the day on a nine-race feast at Leopardstown, and this is 'almost' as good as it gets