Auguste Rodin set to spearhead Ballydoyle Derby team despite bitterly disappointing Guineas run

Auguste Rodin remains at the forefront of Aidan O'Brien's plans for next month's Betfred Derby despite the colt's no-show in the 2,000 Guineas on Saturday.

O'Brien will seek a record-extending ninth Derby win next month and on Monday he maintained a trip to Epsom is still the plan for Auguste Rodin after he failed to make an impact at Newmarket. The Ballydoyle trainer described the 2,000 Guineas as a "non-event" for Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear, who finished 12th and 14th respectively, with the pair affected by interference in the early stages of the Classic.

Last season's impressive Futurity Trophy winner had been touted as a potential Triple Crown horse before Newmarket and he remains the ante-post favourite with most bookmakers for the Derby on June 3. The Deep Impact colt is a best-priced 6-1 and O'Brien said on Monday he was happy with both him and Little Big Bear, who is set to return to sprinting, despite their failure to make an impact on the Rowley Mile.