AIDAN HAILS HIS HOT ROD

Auguste underlines class in Derby

- MELISSA JONES

AIDAN O'BRIEN lavished praise on his "most important horse ever" after Auguste Rodin lived up to the hype in the Betfred Derby.

Ballydoyle's long-term number one hope bounced right back to form to run out an impressive winner of the £1.5million Epsom Classic.

But there was drama in the early stages, when a man ran on to the course and was wrestled to the ground by security.

Other Animal Rising supporters, who vowed to disrupt the major event, were thwarted by a massive operation.

The on-course protestor was held on the ground as 9-2 shot Auguste Rodin thundered past to hand O'Brien (inset) a ninth title.