Economics clinches Irish Champion Stakes triumph

Tom Marquand followed up his earlier Group One win on Porta Fortuna in the Matron Stakes by riding Economics to victory in Saturday's big race at Leopardstown

Economics justified his status as favourite for the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown by edging out Aidan O'Brien's Auguste Rodin by a neck to win Ireland's most prestigious flat race.

William Haggas' charge was fancied for victory in the big race on day one of the Irish Champions Festival, even though this was his first Group One outing.

Victory in the Dante Stakes in May had marked out Economics as a strong Derby contender, but he then missed the Epsom showpiece and his victory in the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville last month was his first race in 91 days.

Sent off as 7-4 favourite under Tom Marquand, Economics caught O'Brien's 2022 race winner Luxembourg in the closing straight before holding off the late burst from another of the Ballydoyle trainer's contenders.

Auguste Rodin has mixed brilliance with mediocrity this season, which was emphasised by his disappointing fifth place in the King George at Ascot a few weeks after winning the Prince of Wales's Stakes in the Royal meeting at the same track.

Japanese 16-1 shot Shin Emperor was three-quarters of a length behind Auguste Rodin in third at Leopardstown, with O'Brien's Irish Derby winner Los Angeles in fourth spot.

Tom Marquard rode Porta Fortuna to a dominant victory in the Group One Matron Stakes on day one of the Irish Champions Festival

Jockey Marquand was also aboard when Porta Fortuna emphasised her status as this season's leading filly over a mile in winning the Group One Matron Stakes.

Donnacha O'Brien's 5-4 favourite, runner-up in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, produced a strong closing furlong to finish a length ahead of Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Fallen Angel.

Porta Fortuna's Leopardstown win followed her Coronation Stakes victory at Royal Ascot and Falmouth Stakes success at Newmarket.

Marquand missed the latter triumph but was back in the saddle for Porta Fortuna's latest big win.

Soprano and Fallen Angel dictated the early pace, the latter making her return to action after that Classic triumph in May.

James Doyle asked Fallen Angel to quicken as the field went around the turn but the Irish Guineas winner had no answer to Porta Fortuna's trademark turn of foot.

Fallen Angel held on for second with Soprano a further half a length back in third.

Porta Fortuna may now be aimed at the Chariot Stakes at Newmarket before her anticipated trip to Del Mar for the Breeders' Cup Mile.

Day two of the Irish Champions Festival at The Curragh will have four further Group One races including the Irish St Leger.