Tipperary trained Auguste Rodin is the favourite for Seventh Group One
Rebels Romance and Bluestocking are hot on the heels and see support also
Auguste Rodin has been installed as the 5/4 favourite by BoyleSports after declarations were revealed for Saturday’s Ascot feature, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
The son of Deep Impact has already racked up six Group Ones, including the Epsom and Irish Derby, an Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Turf, but blew out in last year’s renewal of the King George when trailing in last of the twelve runners.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt also tailed-off behind the reopposing Rebel’s Romance in Meydan’s Dubai Sheema Classic. The Godolphin-owned four-year-old will see his career earnings surpass the £5,000,000 mark with a victory on Saturday after winning lucrative pots in Qatar and Hong Kong but is yet to score at Group One level on home soil.
As big as 9/1 in the antepost betting just a week ago, BoyleSports has reported sustained support for Charlie Appleby’s runner who has seen his odds shorten into 4/1 second favourite alongside the Ralph Beckett trained filly, Bluestocking.
Bluestocking made the breakthrough at the highest level in the Curragh’s Pretty Polly Stakes and is 4/1 to double her tally with connections hoping for conditions to ease between now and Saturday, while Irish Derby runner-up Sunway will represent the three-year-old form at 11/1 in receipt of the weight for age allowance.
Brian O’Keeffe, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: “Auguste Rodin bombed out in this race last year and that has given punters plenty of ammunition to take him on. Bluestocking and Rebel’s Romance have seen support, and it’s the latter that’s proven the most popular. He’s pillaged big prizes across the globe and the market fancies him to land a big prize on home turf.”
5/4 Auguste Rodin
4/1 Bluestocking
4/1 Rebel’s Romance
11/1 Luxembourg
11/1 Sunway
14/1 Dubai Honour
18/1 Middle Earth
33/1 Goliath
100/1 Hans Anderson