Economics, a lightly raced 3-year-old, comes into the Irish Champion Stakes on the back of an impressive comeback win in a Group 2 at Deauville.
This victory solidified him as a serious contender for today’s test.
Auguste Rodin, last year’s winner, is the choice of Ryan Moore and comes in as one of the leading fancies.
Despite some mixed form this season, he must be feared by all.
O’Brien’s other contenders include Los Angeles, who was originally aimed at the St Leger but has been rerouted here. He holds strong form claims having won the Irish Derby and the Great Voltigeur Stakes.
Luxembourg, the 2022 winner of this race, is also in the mix but is considered an outsider this time around.
With the formalities now out of the way, let take a deeper look at the 2024 Irish Champion Stakes with my runner-by-runner betting guide.
Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes: Runner by runner betting guide
Now it’s time to take a in-dept looking into all 8 runners of the Irish Champion Stakes and the best horse racing bookmakers to help you make a winning bet.
🏇 5 – Economics (8)
- Runner: Economics
- Weight: 9st 3lb
- Age: 3
- Form: 4-111
- OR: 121
- Jockey: Tom Marquand
- Trainer: William Haggas
- Betting Odds: 11/8
Economics showed considerable promise earlier this season, especially after his commanding victory in the Group 2 Dante Stakes, which marked him as a serious contender for the Epsom Derby. Unfortunately, injury struck at the wrong time, sidelining him and ending those Derby hopes.
Following a 91-day layoff, his return to form with a convincing win in a Group 2 at Deauville was impressive, particularly as he came from the back of the field to secure victory.
While Economics undoubtedly has star potential, he is yet to prove himself at the highest level. For me, he will need to take another step up to confirm that promise.
At his current odds, he doesn’t represent enough value for a bet, so I’ll happily let him run without backing him this time.
✅ Bring star potential to the table
❌ His first Group 1 test against older horses
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🐎 Bet on Economics with talkSPORT BET 🐎
🏇 1 – Auguste Rodin (4)
- Runner: Auguste Rodin
- Weight: 9st 9lb
- Age: 4
- Form: 1-0215
- OR: 122
- Jockey: Ryan Moore
- Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- Betting Odds: 3/1
His form is so inconsistent that it’s becoming difficult to trust him. While we know he thrives on a fast surface, he bombed out of the King George VI Stakes for the second year in a row, even under favourable conditions.
Last year, he managed to put that poor performance behind him when he won the 2023 running of this race by half a length over Luxembourg, so it’s possible he could do so again.
However, I, for one, will not be backing him because, as I mentioned, he’s almost impossible to predict nowadays.
Can he win? Yes, but you’re taking a gamble that he’ll run to form, even though the drop in trip is a positive.
At the current odds, he seems a bit too short in the betting for my liking.
✅ Won the 2023 running of the Irish Champion Stakes
✅ 1m2f is his best trip
❌ Has become a frustrating horse to predict
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
🐎 Bet on Auguste Rodin with BetMGM 🐎
🏇 7 – Los Angeles (5)
- Runner: Los Angeles
- Weight: 9st 3lb
- Age: 3
- Form: 1-1311
- OR: 119
- Jockey: Dyaln Browne McMonanagle
- Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- Betting Odds: 13/2
Los Angeles is a horse I’ve really taken to this season, coming into this race with a strong record, having won 5 of his 6 career starts.
His only defeat came in the Epsom Derby against the formidable City of Troy, where he still managed a commendable 3rd place.
Although Los Angeles often wins narrowly, doing just enough, his ability to consistently deliver when it matters is a significant strength. This was evident in his recent victory over stablemate Illinois in the Great Voltigeur Stakes by a neck, as well as his prior success against Sunway in the Irish Derby.
Given his proven track record and the potential for further improvement, Los Angeles at 13/2 looks like a standout each-way bet for the Irish Champion Stakes.
✅ Only defeat has come in the Derby
✅ Further progress a big possibility
❌ The drop in tip is a slight negative
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🐎 Bet on Los Angeles with Spreadex 🐎
🏇 6 – Ghostwriter (2)
- Runner: Ghostwriter
- Weight: 9st 3lb
- Age: 3
- Form: 1-4433
- OR: 119
- Jockey: Richard Kingscote
- Trainer: Clive Cox
- Betting Odds: 12/1
Ghostwriter has faced tough competition this season, regularly running into top-class rivals like Look De Vega and City of Troy in Group 1 races.
Despite these challenges, his performances have been consistently solid, never being beaten by much.
While he’s yet to claim a win this season, he has the ability to perform well once again.
At his current price, Ghostwriter is a lively outsider, and if he maintains his consistent efforts, a place finish seems a realistic possibility.
✅ Has been running to a high level this season
❌ Yet to finish inside the top 2 in 4 runs this season
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
🐎 Bet on Ghostwriter with VBET 🐎
🏇 3 – Luxembourg (7)
- Runner: Luxembourg
- Weight: 9st 9lb
- Age: 5
- Form: 2-4016
- OR: 120
- Jockey: Devlan McDonogh
- Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- Betting Odds: 14/1
The 2022 Irish Champion Stakes winner and last season’s runner-up has indeed been a reliable performer for connections over the years.
However, as I pointed out, this season has shown signs that he might be past his prime, despite still having enough to secure a Group 1 victory at Epsom thanks to a Ryan Moore masterclass.
Given his prior record in this race, it’s difficult to entirely rule out a big performance.
However, based on his current form, it’s realistic to expect that his best chance here would be for a place, rather than a win. Age and signs of decline suggest he may no longer be operating at the level required to win this for the second time.
✅ 1st & 2nd in the last two renewals
❌ Seems to be on the downgrade
Star Rating: ⭐⭐
🐎 Bet on Luxembourg with Copybet 🐎
🏇 8 – Shin Emperor (3)
- Runner: Shin Emperor
- Weight: 9st 3lb
- Age: 3
- Form: 12-253
- OR: 115
- Jockey: Ryusei Sakai
- Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi
- Betting Odds: 16/1
It’s not often we see a Japanese runner in the Irish Champion Stakes and comparing Japanese form with European Group 1 competition can be tricky.
While a third-place finish in the Japanese Derby seems a decent performance, it doesn’t directly translate to the challenges of Group 1 races in Europe.
Differences in racing conditions like track, climate, and race pace, can significantly influence performances.
While he could adapt and perform well, relying solely on that Japanese Derby result and previous form in Japan, isn’t enough to inspire confidence.
Logic suggests staying with what we know.
✅ Very much an unknown
❌ First time racing outside of Japan
Star Rating: ⭐⭐
🐎 Bet on Shin Emperor with SBK 🐎
🏇 4 – Royal Rhyme (1)
- Runner: Royal Rhyme
- Weight: 9st 9lb
- Age: 4
- Form: 12-253
- OR: 113
- Jockey: Clifford Lee
- Trainer: Karl Burke
- Betting Odds: 50/1
Royal Rhyme has run well in Group 2 company and wasn’t disgraced at Group 1 level. But this 4 year-old needs to find a sudden jolt of improvement out of nowhere to be competitive here.
A place finish would even be a shock.
✅ No real positives
❌ This level has already proven to be out of reach
Star Rating: ⭐
🐎 Bet on Royal Rhyme with Betfred 🐎
🏇2 – Hans Anderson (6)
- Runner: Hans Anderson
- Weight: 9st 9lb
- Age: 4
- Form: 569590
- OR: 110
- Jockey: Chris Hayes
- Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- Betting Odds: 200/1
As I have said anytime I cover a race that Hans Anderson is entered in, he has one job and one job only, and that is to set the pace for his stablemate.
It’s clear for everyone to see that his like next to no chance here.
✅ He will insure a true pace
❌ There is no chance that he will win
Star Rating: ⭐
🐎 Bet on Hans Anderson with talkSPORT BET 🐎
Irish Champion Stakes verdict
Economics will be popular amounts many punters, as will last defending champion, Auguste Robin.
However, I will be siding with the Irish Derby hero, LOS ANGELES.
A progressive and tough 3-year-old who only does what he has to do when winning, and with the promise of more to come, he rates as big danger to all.
Anshoda, fresh off a Group 3 win at Goodwood, and January, who has already proven her ability with a Listed win and a Group placing, are both solid contenders and look capable of mounting strong challenges.
However, the form and star quality that Desert Flower makes her the stand-out selection.
About the author
Andrew Halligan
My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.
You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).
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