Champion Stakes return ‘possible’ for Economics

William Haggas has revealed Economics could return to action in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot.

Last season’s brilliant Dante and Irish Champion Stakes hero has not yet made it to the track this year, with Haggas saying last month that his charge could be readied for a winter campaign in the Middle East.

However, speaking at Yarmouth on Wednesday, the Newmarket handler offered hope that the four-year-old could yet be ready to make his comeback in a race in which he finished a disappointing sixth last term.

Haggas told Sky Sports Racing: “Economics is in work now. It’s possible (he could run this season), but he needs a good run now.

“It (Champion Stakes) is possible, I haven’t ruled it out at all.”

Haggas also issued an upbeat report on another sidelined stable star in Montassib.

A Group One winner in the Sprint Cup at Haydock 12 months ago, he too has not been seen in competitive action since Champions Day last year, but is poised to return in the Dubai International Airport World Trophy at Newbury on Saturday.

“Montassib worked this morning and I hope he’s all right tonight,” Haggas added.

“He’s going to run at Newbury on Saturday in a five-furlong race, which is too short for him, and then go for the Champions Sprint.

“There’s the Bengough Stakes at Ascot on October 5, but that’s too close to Champions Day, so I need to give him the time to recover and then get him ready for Champions Day, so he’ll run on Saturday and he’ll run all right too.”