IT feels slightly unusual that there would be any question mark over the consistency of a horse who has won eight of his 13 starts, including six at the highest level and two classics, but such is the story of Auguste Rodin.

His CV can make for sensational reading. A Group 1 winner at two, a dual Derby, Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Turf scorer at three - and now a decisive winner of the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at four. He is building one of the most impressive portfolios of big-race wins among Ballydoyle’s top performers of at least the last decade. And that’s not even mentioning his sublime pedigree.

Yet, there is a hesitancy for punters when approaching any top-level event that Auguste Rodin lines up in. An uncertainty over what version of the Deep Impact colt will turn up, despite his numerous big displays in premier company.

On any given day, punters have to consider whether we’ll see the 123-rated performer who shrugged subsequent Group 1 stars King Of Steel and White Birch aside at Epsom last summer, or the horse who failed to beat a single rival in this year’s Sheema Classic at Meydan?

Sizing up whether it will be boom or bust for Auguste Rodin is particularly intriguing when it comes to today’s Group 1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (3.40) at Ascot.

Course form

He arguably looked as good as ever when winning here at the Royal Meeting last month, yet it was also the scene of his biggest blowout when effectively pulled up in this race last year.

O’Brien was keen to take any of the heat off of Auguste Rodin’s previous disappointments in the aftermath of his most recent triumph, explaining: “I feel the blips were my fault, the instructions were wrong, and it took us to this time to start getting it right. We see now that when he gets to the front, he waits, and then he goes again, and that’s what makes him very good. He has a personality, and good horses, they have to develop a personality to become good.”

The Ballydoyle maestro is hoping he can set the record straight in the King George 12 months on.

“We have been very happy with Auguste Rodin and the plan always was to come here after the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes,” said O’Brien.

“In last year’s King George, it was soft ground and we probably held him up too much. When Ryan [Moore] felt he was not going to win, he eased him out of it, and the run probably was not as bad as it looked.

“The plan for him after this is the Japan Cup, which will be very exciting, and he could have a run somewhere in between.”

There are talented opponents waiting in the wings to pounce if the son of star mare Rhododendron drops the ball.

Red-hot Rebel

Perhaps most dangerous is Rebel’s Romance, a seriously admirable and high-class performer on major international stages for Charlie Appleby.

A winner of 13 of his 19 starts, the sole Godolphin runner in the field followed up his Sheema Classic success in March with a superb performance in Group 1 company in Hong Kong when last seen nine weeks ago.

Appleby said: “It’s great to be part of such a historic race. There looks to be plenty of strength in depth in this year’s renewal but we are very happy with Rebel’s Romance.

“He has earned his reputation on the international stage, and the only real omission on his CV is a win at the highest level in England. This looks a decent opportunity to fill that gap and he has come out of Hong Kong in great shape.

“Rebel’s Romance is a very uncomplicated horse these days and a true professional. It has been a faultless campaign so far and we feel he is a big player here.”