HOLD onto your hats – and your bet slips – because there's going to be a blockbuster rematch at Leopardstown on Saturday.
It's Ryan Moore against Kevin Stott and Auguste Rodin vs King Of Steel in an epic rematch of their unforgettable Epsom Derby clash.
It was Moore and Auguste Rodin who came out on top in last June's 1m4f feature.
Stott surged to the lead on 66-1 King Of Steel – owned by football superagent Kia Joorabchian – but was pegged back late on by Aidan O'Brien's superstar.
Auguste Rodin had been pencilled in for glory from his early days, being one of the last progeny of the awesome Deep Impact.
But his year has been a real rollercoaster – while King Of Steel, trained by Roger Varian, appears to keep progressing.
After his Epsom heroics, Auguste Rodin won the Irish Derby but then flopped completely in the King George at Ascot, finishing dead last and 127 lengths behind winner Hukum.
King Of Steel won the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot and finished a respectable third in the King George.
Both horses have been rested since but lock hooves again in the 3.20 at Leopardstown on Saturday – a World Pool race worth over £600,000 to the winner.
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Moore says Auguste Rodin was 'lifeless' at Ascot but returns in 'very good shape'.
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He told Betfair: "I wouldn’t be in a mad rush to rule out any of the nine here, and there is certainly no stand-out.
"King Of Steel probably deserves to head the betting given the way he beat our Voltigeur winner Continuous at Royal Ascot and backed that up with a good third in the King George, but don’t forget Auguste Rodin beat him fair and square in the Derby and he showed a lot of speed to win that day.
"My colt obviously has a big question to answer after his lifeless run in the King George, but if he returns to his Epsom form then he has a big chance.
"He is in very good shape for this. But you have to respect plenty in here, as I said, not least last year’s 1-2 of Luxembourg and Onesto.
"The former is rock-solid, while the latter shaped very well over a mile on his return in the Jacques Le Marois and could be very dangerous."
While Stott is of the opinion dropping back to 1m2f will be perfect for his mount.
He told William Hill: "Everyone at home is really happy with him and he looks great.
"He’s been given plenty of time to get over his run in the King George and while it was a hard race, we think he’ll have learnt a lot from it and I expect him to step forward mentally as much as anything here.
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"He’s still lightly raced and there could easily be more to come on just his sixth career start.
"I honestly believe he’s the one they all have to beat."
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