Saturday’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes looks like being the highlight of the 2023 flat season with Auguste Rodin, King Of Steel, Emily Upjohn, Desert Crown and Hukum all featuring among the 15 confirmations made on Monday.

Auguste Rodin, winner of both the Epsom and Irish Derby, looks set to face the opposing King Of Steel in Saturday's mouthwatering clash having beaten Roger Varian's striking grey on the Epsom Downs last month.

The one-two from this year's Brigadier Gerard at Sandown – Hukum and Desert Crown – also look like renewing their rivalry. Both were making their return from lengthy absences that evening and the pair have since missed prior engagements at Royal Ascot. The former was forced to miss his intended target in the Hardwicke Stakes due to quick ground while a minor setback ruled the latter out of running in the Prince of Wales's Stakes.

Defending champion Pyledriver also features alongside Coronation Cup winner Emily Upjohn, who lost nothing in defeat when attempting to give weight away to Paddington over ten-furlongs in the Coral-Eclipse last-time-out.

2021 Epsom Derby hero Adayar has been scratched having been turned over at shorts odds in the Princess Of Wales's Stakes during Newmarket's July Festival. Changingoftheguard, Grand Alliance and Tunnes were also withdrawn at the five-day stage.

Luxembourg, Adelaide River, Point Lonsdale, Bolshoi Ballet and Broome all remain in contention for Aidan O'Brien alongside Auguste Rodin.

Paddy Power: 11-4 King Of Steel, 100-30 Auguste Rodin, 4 Emily Upjohn, Hukum, 11-2 Desert Crown, 7 Pyledriver, 16 Luxembourg, 20 Westover, 25 Adelaide River, 33 Simca Mille, 40 Deauville Legend, 66 Broome, Point Lonsdale, 80 Bolshoi Ballet, 100 Hamish