2024 Irish Champion Stakes Tips - Is there value against Economics at Leopardstown?

I feel that Economics has been priced up on potential, rather than what he's achieved. William Haggas' raider is clearly hugely progressive and looked outstanding at York and Deauville. However, the form of the Dante hasn't worked out well and Economics beat Group Three horses in the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano. This will be the first time that he's ever tackled Group One winners, and 11/10 doesn't represent any value.

Aidan O'Brien runs four as he looks to win this race for the sixth year in a row. Auguste Rodin won this 12 months ago and ten furlongs around Leopardstown would be his ideal conditions. The defending champion has thrown in some strange performances on his travels, but Auguste Rodin's record on home soil is excellent and any yielding could have dried out of the ground by Saturday, which will suit.

In 2022 and 2023, Luxembourg saved his best performance of the season for the Irish Champion Stakes. O'Brien's colt beat Onesto to claim this prize two years ago and was only narrowly touched off by Auguste Rodin last year. I expect Luxembourg to go out hard and fast from the front, with Hans Anderson keeping him company for as long as possible. Luxembourg shouldn't be underestimated.

Then there's Los Angeles, who I've backed for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. O'Brien has decided to drop down to ten furlongs, rather than step up in trip in the St Leger, to prepare Los Angeles for Longchamp. I don't think Aidan's three-year-old will be quick enough to cope with the early pace over this distance, but a staying on third or fourth would put him spot on for the Arc.

Shin Emperor will also use the Irish Champion Stakes as a warm-up for Europe's most prestigious race. Yoshito Yahagi's star is yet to win a top race in his homeland and was found wanting for finishing pace in his three appearances in Group Ones over this ten-furlong distance.

Ghostwriter travels over from England having finished fairly close behind City Of Troy on his last two starts. Two and four-length defeats to Europe's top three-year-old could be viewed as the best seasonal form on offer here. I'm just not sure that the track at Leopardstown, which is sharp and favours speed, will suit Ghostwriter's style.

Royal Rhyme rounds off the field. Like Ghostwriter, Karl Burke's raider would prefer more of a stamina test over this distance. Softer ground would also suit Royal Rhyme, making the Champion Stakes at Ascot his main objective, but he could still be overpriced on seasonal form.

I'm happy to take Economics on and I wouldn't put anyone off from taking 3/1 about Auguste Rodin. However, at the prices, I'm going to have an each-way punt on LUXEMBOURG (14/1).

As I mentioned earlier, Luxembourg saves his best for the Irish Champion Stakes. Ryan Moore gave him an excellent ride to win the Coronation Cup at Epsom, but 12 furlongs has never been his ideal trip, as his most recent outing in the King George attests.

Unless Royal Rhyme goes forward early, which he might do from stall one, then Declan McDonagh will be able to dictate the pace of the race aboard Luxembourg from the front. First-time cheekpieces have been added for this assignment too. At 14/1, Luxembourg is the outstanding each-way bet.

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