There is a massive weekend of racing ahead in Ireland as Champions Weekend takes place at Leopardstown and the Curragh across Saturday and Sunday.

Dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin will bid to bounce back to form when he renews his rivalry with King Of Steel in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (3.20) at Leopardstown on Saturday - the day one feature race.

A field of nine were declared for the race on Thursday morning and we are taking a close look at the contenders for the €725,000 reward.

What	Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes
Where	Leopardstown Racecourse
When	3.20, Saturday 9th September 2023
How to watch	bet365 live streaming, RTE & Racing TV
Odds	King Of Steel 9/4, Auguste Rodin 10/3, Alflaila 6/1, Nashwa 7/1, Onesto 8/1

King Of Steel - 9/4
Trainer: Roger Varian
Jockey: Kevin Stott

Second in the Epsom Derby on his seasonal bow/third start, he was deeply impressive in winning the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot soon after.

He managed to turn the Epsom form around with Auguste Rodin in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot in July, but they were only third and tenth (last, tailed off) that day.

Plenty of confidence is circulating in the Wootton Bassett colt despite taking on the Irish on home soil now.

Auguste Rodin - 10/3
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Ryan Moore

A smart, Group 1-winning 2YO but flopped in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on his comeback. His trainer was adamant that wasn't his true running and that came to pass as he collared King Of Steel late on in the Epsom Derby. 

He added the Irish Derby afterwards, possibly fortuitously, but arrives here after another flop at Ascot in July when King Of Steel was ahead of him. 

When he's good, he is very good. When he's bad, that's another story. Has something to prove again and is trained by a genius bidding for a 12th win in this race and five in a row. 

Alflaila - 6/1
Trainer: Owen Burrows
Jockey: Jim Crowley

Trainer Owen Burrows will be eager to cause another upset on Saturday with Shadwell's York Stakes winner Alflaila under Jim Crowley.

The Dark Angel colt improved at the end of his 3YO term, winning his final three at Listed/Group 3 level and picked up where he left off with that York Group 2 in late July when he took the scalp of My Prospero.

More should be needed to down these rivals, but it could be forthcoming. 

Nashwa - 7/1
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Jockey: Hollie Doyle

This terrific mare landed the third Group 1 win of her career in the Falmouth at Newmarket in July.

That was over a mile, but she showed her effectiveness back up at this trip last month when getting closest to Mostahdaf in the Juddmonte International at York, with 3YO star of the season Paddington behind in third.

This Frankel filly goes well for Hollie Doyle and cannot be factored out. 

Onesto - 8/1
Trainer: Fabrice Chappet
Jockey: Frankie Dettori

This French raider was second in this contest last year after a terrific and sustained battle with Luxembourg late on.

Connections will have been quietly pleased with last month's return when fourth in the Jacques le Marois at Deauville behind Inspiral over a mile trip that would be short of optimal.

A big run could be looming here with Frankie Dettori in the plate.

Al Riffa - 9/1
Trainer: Joseph O'Brien
Jockey: Christophe Soumillon

Won the Group 1 National Stakes at this meeting last year and his 3YO return was delayed until the start of July.

He looked to be caught short of fitness when second in a Curragh Group 3 that day as Mashhoor pinched it from the front and has since finished second to star French 3YO Ace Impact in the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville.

Could still have more in his locker and has the wily Christophe Soumillon for company.

Luxembourg - 10/1
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Seamie Heffernan

He showed proper guts to win this 12 months ago, holding off Onesto, and took out the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup from the front at the Curragh in May. 

His second behind Mostahdaf in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot in June reads a whole lot better given what the winner did at York in the Juddmonte International and perhaps was a non-stayer in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes back there a month on.

Only beaten once on Irish soil and, back at this trip, folly to discount the defending champ.

Sprewell - 20/1
Trainer: Jessica Harrington
Jockey: Shane Foley 

Was the outsider of note in the Epsom Derby and finished a fair fourth, beaten seven-lengths on his first encounter with fast ground.

Was hampered at a crucial stage in the Irish Derby next time out and has been given a break since.

He remains unexposed at this trip - a winner on his only attempt - and the Churchill colt will have his supporters once more at the prices.

Point Lonsdale - 100/1
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle

Missed most of 2022 (one start), but has won at Group 3 and Group 2 level this season since returning.

Has a lot to prove in this sort of company and the third wheel in the Ballydoyle challenge is likely going to be deployed with a pace-making role for his stablemates Auguste Rodin and Luxembourg to take aim at.