'I didn't see the winner coming' - Calandagan team rue narrow loss while below-par Economics is found with blood in his nose

Connections of French challenger Calandagan believed they were going to win the Champion Stakes against all odds only to be denied in the dying strides by the 40-1 victor Anmaat, as both market leaders fell short in the feature with Economics only finishing sixth. The latter was reported afterwards to have bled from the nose by the veterinary officer.

Calandagan was sent off the 6-4 favourite after chasing home City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International, and he looked destined to record his Group 1 breakthrough after hitting the front inside the final furlong, having been slowly away and short of racing room under Stephane Pasquier.

"I saw there was no room entering the straight and Stephane had a lot of horses in front of him," said trainer Francis Graffard. "He quickened strongly and I thought the race was over when he took the lead and was going away, but I didn't see the winner coming. He had his chance to win, but the winner just got us on the line; well done to all the winning connections.

"It was a good effort and he stumbled a few times on the ground. Stephane said he had to keep asking him to keep going on that surface, which didn't suit him. We had a difficult draw and in that ground this horse makes too much effort, but he still ran a good race.

"He probably prefers a mile and a half and being in his own bubble when he can quicken very strongly. He had trouble when he started to come with a run and then made his effort; it's tough."

Graffard suggested Calandagan could remain in training, and added: "He's a very good horse and this year he's been winning or second all the time. I think he's very talented. We will give him a nice break now over the winter and hopefully we'll see him again next year. He deserves a nice break."

Economics, an impressive winner of the Irish Champion Stakes, was sent off at 2-1 under Tom Marquand but could only manage sixth after weakening in the final furlong. 

"He was a bit disappointing obviously and Tom felt the ground was a bit soft for him, but I said I wasn't going to use that as an excuse so I'm not going to," said trainer William Haggas. "He seems fine. There was a little bit of blood in his nose."

Read more:

40-1 shock! Jim Crowley and Anmaat fly home to deny French raider Calandagan in Champion Stakes 

'He's shown he's a true champion' - Charyn confirms his class after seeing off Facteur Cheval in Queen Elizabeth II Stakes 

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