Huge Royal Ascot chances ‘dropping like flies’ as latest big name ruled out in gut punch to punters
HUGE Royal Ascot chances are ‘dropping like flies’ – with another massive name pulled out due to injury.
William Haggas has been forced to scrap Economics’ intended return in a red-hot Prince Of Wales’s Stakes next Wednesday.
Last year’s Irish Champion Stakes hero, who saw off former Derby king Auguste Rodin in an absolute thriller, was 9-2 second-fav for the blockbuster Group 1.
But Haggas said a pulled muscle means he is out, leaving Aidan O’Brien’s Los Angeles clear at the head of the market at 5-2.
Haggas said: “Unfortunately, Economics won’t make Royal Ascot and is out in the short term but it’s no big deal and hopefully he can be back in action soon.”
Economics has won four of six career races but hasn’t been seen since bleeding when finishing sixth in last October’s Champion Stakes at Ascot.
Speaking on the market move, William Hill’s Lee Phelps said: “News that William Haggas’ Economics has been ruled out of Royal Ascot has shaken up the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes market.
“With one of his key competitors out, we have clipped Los Angeles from 7-2 to 3-1 at the head of the market.
“One horse we’re now fearing could be a popular pick is Anmaat after a strong reappearance behind Los Angeles at the Curragh and the Champion Stakes winner could be the punters’ pick at 4-1.
“Economics had been third in the betting but that place now belongs to Wathnan Racing’s French raider, Map Of Stars (5-1).”
Economics’ KO came less than 24 hours after O’Brien’s Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Lake Victoria was ruled out.
Deemed by many to be the banker of the festival, she was odds on for the Group 1 Coronation Stakes over a mile.
A post from owners Coolmore on X read: “Lake Victoria will not run at Royal Ascot.
“She will have an easy few weeks and will return for a late summer/autumn campaign.”
O’Brien, who won the Oaks and Derby last week, has seen three big favourites ruled out now.
Lake Victoria adds to former Gold Cup superstar Kyprios and Coventry fav Albert Einstein in being pulled.
Another Group 1 globe-trotter ruled out is four-year-old filly Porta Fortuna.
She had been as short as 6-1 for the Queen Anne on the first day, next Tuesday, but is out now following a ‘small setback in training’
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