Varian ‘delighted’ with Irish Champion hope King Of Steel

Leopardstown-bound colt ‘looks stronger now than he did three months ago’.

Roger Varian believes King Of Steel looks stronger now than at any stage this season and is hoping his patience is rewarded with a victory in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

The Amo Racing-owned grey faces a rematch with his Derby conqueror Auguste Rodin over a reduced trip of 10 furlongs in the highlight of the two-day Irish Champions Festival.

While Auguste Rodin did follow up in the Irish Derby, he ran no race at all in the King George at Ascot, just like he had done in the 2000 Guineas.

King Of Steel, on the other hand, won the King Edward VII and ran well to finish third in the King George, after which Varian felt the extra time between that race and this would be more beneficial than heading to York.

King Of Steel (right) and Auguste Rodin dominated the Derby
King Of Steel (right) and Auguste Rodin dominated the Derby (Mike Egerton/PA)

“We’ve been delighted with King Of Steel since the King George. He ticked over nicely for a couple of weeks afterwards and we built up his work heading towards the Irish Champion Stakes,” said the Newmarket handler.

“I thought the King George was a very attritional race and he ran really well, but you’d be kidding yourself if you didn’t think he had a hard race, so we felt the extra two and a half weeks the Irish Champion Stakes gave us over the Juddmonte International was beneficial for a horse of his age and at this stage of his career.

“I think he’s been maturing and strengthening throughout the year and you won’t see the finished article maybe until next year, but his performances have shown you that he’s well up to performing (at this level) and we think he can only get better.

“He looks stronger now than he did three months ago and I think with a winter on his back he’ll be even stronger next year.”

Aidan O'Brien with Auguste Rodin and his work rider Rachel Richardson
Aidan O’Brien with Auguste Rodin and his work rider Rachel Richardson (Tom Maher/PA)

Auguste Rodin now has something of a question mark hanging over him but having brought him back from his dismal run in the Guineas to win the Derby, Aidan O’Brien is not too concerned.

He said: “We’re really happy with him, the circumstances are all different for this. It’s a mile and a quarter, quicker ground, he’s drawn in rather than out and we’ve been happy with him since Ascot.

“There’s a lot of things different this time. Ryan (Moore) felt him come off the bridle early last time and didn’t take a chance, he took the decision to protect him rather than damage him, which definitely wasn’t the wrong thing.”

O’Brien also runs last year’s winner Luxembourg and Point Lonsdale.

Luxembourg just got the better of Onesto last year
Luxembourg just got the better of Onesto last year (Donall Farmer/PA)

“Luxembourg is very well also since Ascot, we probably rode him a little bit forceful over a mile and a half on that ground, he’s not a mile and six horse, he’s a mile and a quarter horse that gets a mile and a half,” said O’Brien.

“He has done a lot of hard, strong work and seems in good form.”

Owen Burrows, and in particular owners Shadwell, have enjoyed a stellar season in the top races and chase another Group One with the supplemented Alflaila.

With Mostahdaf winning the Prince of Wales’s and the Juddmonte International, Al Husn taking the Nassau and Hukum starring in the King George, the famous blue and white silks have been as prominent as ever this season, despite the streamlining of the operation.

“Touch wood, all has gone well and he’s had a nice prep from York,” said Burrows referring to his only start this season, a victory in the York Stakes.

“He’s not had a break as such, but he’s obviously had a nice spell between the two races. I’m not sure about it (bounce factor) to be truthful, but it certainly eliminates that possibility anyway.

“We’re all happy he goes there in good form and we’ll see on Saturday whether or not he’s good enough.

“He hadn’t run for a good few months when he went to York obviously, so he’s going to be sharper for it and he’s going to have to be.

“But he’s won his Group Threes and he’s won a Group Two and this is the logical next step up. There isn’t too much at home for him to go for and it’s sporting that Shadwell have supplemented him to give us a chance of being involved in another top, top race.”

Adding further spice is John and Thady Gosden’s multiple Group One-winning filly Nashwa, who lost little in defeat when beaten a length by stablemate Mostahdaf at York.

Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager for owner Imad Al Sagar, said: “It’s really exciting to be going there with her in what looks to be a top-class renewal.

“She came out of York really well, she’s bouncing, and she deserves to be there.

“Her York run was a rock-solid performance in every way and we’re delighted to be there. The BHA viewed her York run as a career-best, they put her up to 121 which is the second highest in the race.

“Hopefully, Leopardstown could suit her style.”

Onesto was second to Luxembourg last year and is back for another crack for Fabrice Chappet – with Frankie Dettori on top.

“He has a bit of experience doesn’t he. He knows his way round,” said Chappet of Dettori.

“He was supposed to ride Onesto earlier this year and he has ridden for me in the past. I have no worries having Frankie aboard and we are all very happy about that.”

On comparing last year with this year, he went on: “The first two in the Derby look decent and a Group One race is never easy. But I am happy with my horse and he has worked well since his race first time out in the Jacques le Marois, which was a good effort.

“It’s not easy for me to say at this stage and at this time of the year is when we get the chance to compare the three-year-olds and the older horses. Before they meet each other, I guess it is difficult to say. It is consistently a good race.”

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