Tattersalls Gold Cup odds: Auguste Rodin takes on seven Curragh rivals

Aidan O'Brien's Auguste Rodin heads to the Curragh on Sunday to take on seven rivals for the Tattersalls Gold Cup and the former Derby champion has a bit to prove over the 1m 2 ½ f test following a disappointing showing at Meydan last time out.

The Ballydoyle colt takes on a field that includes White Birch, who was third behind him at last year’s Epsom showpiece, while Adrian Murray’s Elegant Man is an interesting addition on his first Turf effort in the 3.10.

Tattersalls Gold Cup Odds

Auguste Rodin

Auguste Rodin had the three-year-old campaign of a superstar after claiming wins in the Derby on both sides of the Irish sea and victory in the Breeders Cup Turf at Santa Anita, but he heads to the Curragh on Saturday with a point to prove.

He sloped in last on his seasonal reappearance at Meydan in the Sheema Classic in March, but trainer O’Brien was swift to draw a line under the performance.

We have been here before with the colt, who was a beaten favourite in last year’s 2000 Guineas and in the King Geroge at Ascot, so there is no panic in the camp and he is clearly the horse to beat in this one.

White Birch

White Birch is one of two horses closest to the favourite in the market and could be the one who gives the Aidan O’Brien team most to think about.

White Birch was third behind Auguste Rodin in last June’s Epsom showpiece and, while the victor got his four-year-old campaign off to an inauspicious start, it has been quite the opposite for John Murphy’s grey.

Having lost his way a little after the English Classic with an eighth-placed finish in the Irish equivalent, two course victories this year have put him firmly in the reckoning.

They came on heavy and soft ground, so some decent give in the conditions could boost his chances of success in this race.

Elegant Man

Elegant Man is an interesting entry as this will be the first time Adrian Murray’s colt has been seen on turf.

He has found just one horse better than him in four all-weather efforts, which included a strong victory at Newcastle at the end of March, so it will be interesting to see how he performs.

Lumiere Rock

Lumiere Rock will benefit from a 3lbs mares allowance for this one and it will be the first time Joseph O’Brien’s horse has been seen since she finished sixth of 12 at the Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita.

The drop in weight could help and confidence can also be taken from a course win over 1m 2f when she claimed the Blandford Stakes in September.

Her second to Warm Heart in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot is also form that should not be sniffed at and she will have her each-way fans going into this contest.

Mashhoor

There is then a jump in the betting to Mashhoor as Johnny Murtagh’s six-year-old has been well-beaten in each of his two starts this season and he was last seen when fourth of six in Chester’s Huxley Stakes just over two weeks ago.

However, he could be more at home at the Curragh, where he has claimed three wins, including two in successive performances last summer.

Hans Andersen

Hans Andersen is the second of Aidan O’Brien’s entries and it is difficult to put him in the same class as the favourite with two wins in eight Turf efforts to his name.

He was eighth in the Huxley Stakes last time and is not proven over this trip, even though he did win over 1m4f on the all weather at Dundalk on his previous effort.

Lord Massusus

Lord Massusus could make the most appeal of the outsiders from an each-way perspective and may be capable of running a lot better than his odds suggest.

Joseph Murphy’s horse put in a sterling effort last time to finish second at the Curragh to White Birch in the Alleged Stakes a couple of weeks ago, which was his first go at 1m 2f.

That came after he was third in a heavy mile at Leopardstown, so connections may be confident that there is more to come.

Crypto Force

Crypto Force is the outsider of the field and has plenty to do for Adrian Murray.

He had not been seen for 574 days before joining his new yard from John and Thady Gosden and there was little to shout about from his two efforts since.

Admittedly, they were both on heavy ground, but it would be a surprise if he proved a force in this sort of company.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.