Auguste Rodin can bounce back to winning ways in Irish Champion Stakes
REDEMPTION TRAIL: Auguste Rodin and rider Rachael Richardson during morning exercise at Ballydoyle earlier this month. Last year's Derby hero disappointed in the King George on his most recent start but can bounce back to retain his Irish Champions Stakes crown at Leopardstown on Saturday. Picture: Healy Racing
Leopardstown hosts the first day of Irish Champions Festival, with a marathon nine-race card, and Aidan O’Brien looks certain to dominate proceedings. The nap on the card goes to his Delacroix, who can give the trainer a third consecutive win in the Group 2 KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes.
On debut, the son of Dubawi and brilliant race-mare Tepin finished runner-up to Green Impact, with whom he clashes once more, but everything about his performance screamed of inexperience. In the circumstances, he did remarkably well to finish second, beaten just a length and a half behind the winner, who had the benefit of a previous run.
