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Willie Mullins’ high-class hurdler made a successful return to the flat when landing the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot in June and will attempt to book his Melbourne Cup ticket in the Ballyroan Stakes at Naas on Monday.

The Rich Ricci-owned 2022 Triumph Hurdle winner finished runner-up to State Man in both the Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle and Paddy Power Champion Hurdle, while he also finished fourth behind the unbeaten Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last season.

Vauban was ridden by Ryan Moore when making all for a commanding seven-and-a-half-length success at Royal Ascot but with Moore committed to riding Aidan O'Brien's Peking Opera, Colin Keane has been booked to partner Willie Mullins' current Melbourne Cup ante-post favourite.

The Ballyroan Stakes represents a step up to Group 3 company for Vauban, who will need to place at group level to be eligible for the Melbourne Cup at Flemington in November.

Mullins said: "He's in good form after his race at Ascot. Naas is only up the road rather than having to travel him to England and hopefully, he'll run well enough to qualify for the Melbourne Cup.

"It's a shorter trip and probably different ground to Ascot. It also gives us time if things don't go right to run again.

"All being well, Melbourne is the plan."

Aidan O'Brien has landed the Group 3 prize four times in the last ten seasons and will be hoping Peaking Opera can get back to winning ways after his last start seventh-place finish in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris.

Vauban will also have to see off the likes of Valiant King, who saw the form of his narrow King George V Stakes second at Royal Ascot boosted when Desert Hero went on to land the Gordon Stakes for HM The King & HM The Queen at Glorious Goodwood last week.

Vauban is currently a general 7/1 to chance to win the 'race that stops the nation' in Flemington on November 7th.