Confirmed runners and riders for Saturday's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot

Auguste Rodin will spearhead Aidan O'Brien's squad in Saturday's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (3.40) at Ascot. as the master trainer bids for a fifth victory in the midsummer showpiece.

O'Brien, who has previously won the race with Galileo (2001), Dylan Thomas (2007), Duke Of Marmalade (2008) and Highland Reel (2016), will hope to see Auguste Rodin continue his form after he bounced back to land the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.

• The rollercoaster career of Auguste Rodin: can he be trusted in the King George at such short odds? 

The Ballydoyle team will also include Coronation Cup hero Luxembourg, the ride of Wayne Lordan, and Hans Andersen (Sean Levey) with Point Lonsdale and Continuous not declared.

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Among the Ballydoyle trio's opposition will be Rebel's Romance, who William Buick has hailed as an "international superstar" and hopes he can continue his globetrotting success.

Trained by Charlie Appleby, the six-year-old has struck at the top level at Sha Tin, Meydan, Keeneland and Cologne, but this weekend's £1.25 million contest will be the first time Rebel's Romance has featured in a Group 1 in Britain.

The Godolphin-owned gelding most recently scored in the Champions & Chater Cup in Hong Kong and Buick believes the son of Dubawi is in top form coming into the race.

Rebel's Romance won the Sheema Classic in which King George rival Auguste Rodin bombed out inCredit: Edward Whitaker

Buick, speaking to Great British Racing, said: "He's an international superstar, but he just hasn't had the opportunity he deserves until now to run in a Group 1 over here. He's obviously been on the go a long time, but his races have been spaced out nicely and he's taken them well.

"Bar the Derby, the King George is our biggest middle-distance race. It's a hugely important race, steeped in so much history, and it's our midsummer highlight. It's very special, and we are all looking forward to running."

It will only be the fifth time that Rebel's Romance has competed in Britain, with his last appearance coming when he landed the Listed Wild Flower Stakes at Kempton in December.

Buick added: "He's high class and it's lovely that he's now getting a proper shot at a top level win at home. He's a huge, imposing horse who you can't help but spot, and he's very uncomplicated, very genuine, and obviously very good."

Appleby, who won the King George in 2021 with Adayar, added: "We feel this is the right chance for him to hopefully have Group 1 success in Britain. He's been faultless this year and has come out of his last race in great shape."

Bluestocking and Rossa Ryan will be reunited in the King GeorgeCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Group 1 winner Bluestocking adds further quality after producing a career-best effort in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh last month. Trained by Ralph Beckett, the Juddmonte filly also has a Group 2 win this year after landing the Middleton Fillies' Stakes at York in May.

Middle Earth, who will bid to improve on his third in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, will run for John and Thady Gosden. The son of Roaring Lion has won four of his eight starts, including the Group 3 Aston Park Stakes at Newbury in May.

Irish Derby second Sunway will go in search of his first win of the season for David Menuisier, while William Haggas saddles Dubai Honour, who was last seen winning the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

The sole international challenger comes from France with trainer Francis Graffard represented by Goliath, who finished ahead of Middle Earth but behind Isle Of Jura in the Hardwicke.

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes runners and riders

• Auguste Rodin Ryan Moore
• Dubai Honour Tom Marquand
• Goliath Christophe Soumillon
• Hans Andersen Sean Levey
• Luxembourg Wayne Lordan
• Middle Earth Oisin Murphy
• Rebel's Romance William Buick
• Bluestocking Rossa Ryan
• Sunway James Doyle

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (3.40 Ascot, Saturday)

bet365: 5-4 Auguste Rodin, 9-2 Bluestocking, Rebel's Romance, 10 Luxembourg Middle Earth, 11 Sunway, 12 Dubai Honour, 20 Goliath, 100 Hans Andersen

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Read these next:

The rollercoaster career of Auguste Rodin: can he be trusted in the King George at such short odds? 

'He's probably less complicated now' - O'Brien says signs are positive for better King George effort from Auguste Rodin 

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