Auguste Rodin can capitalise on the absence of White Birch and return to winning ways in the Prince of Wales's Stakes, the highlight on day two at Royal Ascot. Aidan O'Brien's charge was a clear second best behind the John Murphy-trained grey in the Tattersalls Gold Cup but his handler felt the rain-softened ground went against him that day and was eyeing revenge anyway. A dual Derby winner, Auguste Rodin also won the Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders' Cup Turf in a stellar three-year-old season, so it was a brave call from 'the lads' to keep him in training.
It could have been described as something else entirely when he bombed out on his return at four in the Dubai Sheema Classic but connections were not too disappointed, as he had done the same in the 2000 Guineas and King George. Even in defeat, last month's Curragh effort was far more encouraging and O'Brien has made no secret of the fact that he expects the son of Deep Impact to come on again for that run. Connections are clearly confident Auguste Rodin is now ready to show his true worth again and with a sound surface in his favour, that is good enough for us.
Ballydoyle stablemate Highbury is a strong fancy in the Queen's Vase. Given the type of horses his Coolmore masters breed, it is no surprise O'Brien has a good record in the Group Two, winning it four times in six years between 2015 and 2020. The decision to shave two furlongs off the two-mile distance in 2017 has helped the race grow in stature, with such class.