'He's always showed a lot' - Auguste Rodin heads Derby market after Group 2 win

Saturday: Leopardstown

A clear favourite emerged for next year's Derby after the wonderfully bred Ballydoyle colt Auguste Rodin smoothly landed the Group 2 KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes.

Described by trainer Aidan O'Brien as "a horse with a lot of quality", the son of Deep Impact out of triple Group 1 winner Rhododendron was cut to as short as 7-1 (from 14) for next year's Epsom Classic with Paddy Power.

A tilt at the Vertem Futurity Trophy could be next for the 11-10 winner, who scored by a length and a half from persistent 18-1 outsider Caroline Street.

Aidan O'Brien on Auguste Rodin: 'He has plenty of class and quality, and probably will sharpen up a lot from today'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"He's always showed a lot and has a beautiful physique, a lovely nature," said the winning trainer.

"He was a little idle when he got to the front, but we're delighted with him. He's always gone through his work very impressively.

"He could go to be one for the Vertem Futurity or the Dewhurst. He has plenty of class and quality, and probably will sharpen up a lot from today. We thought he could be the type of horse to do both the Guineas and the Derby."

Auguste Rodin's stablemate Tower Of London, who entered the race as 14-1 joint-favourite with the winner for next year's Derby, failed to fire and trailed the field.

Duke De Sessa delivers

Dermot Weld claimed his eighth win in the Group 3 Paddy Power Stakes (registered as the Kilternan) after Newtown Anner Stud's Duke De Sessa dramatically denied the same owner-breeder's Thunder Kiss in a gripping finish.

A Group 3 winner last season, the three-year-old recorded his first win this year on the back of an 11-week break after chasing home Aikhal in the International Stakes.

Chris Hayes was seen at his best aboard the 6-1 chance, gradually unwinding the Lope De Vega colt's effort to be in front on the line, while it was a case of deja vu for the Ger Lyons-trained runner-up, who was beaten a neck in this race last year.

Duke De Sessa: lunged late to win the Group 3 Paddy Power StakesCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"He had been working exceptionally well and the only question I had was whether he'd stay the trip," said Weld.

"I thought about running him in the Irish Champion Stakes but felt this would be the easier option. Chris gave him a beautiful ride."

It was still a good day at the office for Lyons after promising filly Zarinsk provided the Glenburnie trainer with consecutive wins in the Listed Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle Stakes.

Soumillon strikes back

Christophe Soumillon was out of luck with Vadeni in the Irish Champion Stakes but his Leopardstown visit still bore fruit after Jadoomi landed the Group 2 Clipper Logistics Boomerang Mile.

The win continued a flawless season for the classy Simon and Ed Crisford-trained four-year-old, who is now unbeaten in three starts this term, including success in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood last time.

Jadoomi: wasn't for catching in the Group 2 Boomerang Mile under SoumillonCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"When the rain came I was so delighted as he just loves to get his toe in," said Ed Crisford.

"He's not in the QEII but we'll have to sit down with Sheikh Ahmed [Al Maktoum, owner] and have a talk about supplementing."

Marquand magic

After plundering a Group 1 race on his first ride at the Curragh earlier this year, Tom Marquand continued his trend of strong first impressions with a premier handicap victory on his maiden voyage to Leopardstown.

Marquand claimed the €150,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF "Sovereign Path" Handicap aboard I'm A Gambler, who marked Charlie and Mark Johnston's first runner and winner in Ireland as a training partnership.

Saturday's other premier contest, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF-backed "Petingo" Handicap, went the way of 14-1 shot Moracana, representing Sheila Lavery and Rory Cleary.

Results, replays and analysis

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