Chappet feels Onesto can shine in Irish Champion Stakes

Fabrice Chappet is confident last year's runner-up Onesto will put up another bold show when he takes on the likes of King Of Steel and Auguste Rodin in Saturday's Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes.

The French raider found only Luxembourg too strong in a high-class renewal 12 months ago and the pair are among nine runners declared for the latest edition of the Leopardstown showpiece this weekend.

Luxembourg is one of three contenders for Aidan O'Brien as he goes in search of a fifth straight victory in the 10-furlong Group One, with his dual Derby-winning stablemate Auguste Rodin considered the stable's first string despite failing to fire in the King George at Ascot in July.

Point Lonsdale also runs for the Ballydoyle team.

Onesto has been a rare sight on the racecourse this season, but Chappet was happy with his reappearance when fourth over a mile in the Prix Jacques le Marois and is optimistic ahead of his return to Dublin, where he will be partnered by Frankie Dettori.

"One place better than last year will do," quipped Chappet.

"He has never run a bad race, he has been unlucky a few times, but he rarely runs a bad race. So I expect a good run one more time.

"He had a little issue in the spring, but the best races for him are coming up now anyway. He is a very versatile horse, he is a Group One winner going 2400 metres (Grand Prix de Paris) and ran a very good race in this last year going 2000 metres and also ran a good race down in trip in the Jacques le Marois.

"He definitely has more speed than a mile and a half horse and he can probably do anything from a mile to middle distances - he showed a good bit of speed last time."

Some bookmakers have Roger Varian's King Of Steel, who drops back in trip after some fine efforts