Haggas targets Royal Ascot return with Economics

Economics could make his four-year-old return at Royal Ascot in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.

Trained by William Haggas, the son of Night Of Thunder dazzled last season when winning both the Dante and Deauville’s Prix Guillaume d’Ornano impressively before coming out on top in an Irish Champion Stakes classic with Auguste Rodin at Leopardstown.

He failed to do the ‘Champion Stakes double’ when only sixth on his final start last term on Qipco British Champions Day, but will be given the chance for Ascot redemption when he heads to Berkshire in June for one of the royal meeting’s feature events.

“It’s obviously early days yet but the first race we’re planning is the Prince of Wales’s Stakes,” said Haggas.

“He’s done very well over the winter and developed really well and I’m really pleased with his condition. It will be great to see him back out.”

The Somerville Lodge handler could have plenty to look forward to as a raft of Classic contenders and big-race hopefuls prepare to return to the track in the coming weeks.

And he has been buoyed by the early-season success of his Newmarket string both home and abroad.

Haggas added: “We’re happy at the moment and of course there’s a lot of things still to go wrong and hopefully some things to go right.

“It was nice to start with the Lincoln (won with Godwinson) and nice with Dubai Honour winning in Australia but the next month will be crucial too, so we hope for the best.”