Rebel’s Romance is a more familiar name to racegoers in Dubai, Hong Kong and the US than he is to fans in the UK, as nine of his last 10 starts – including five Group One or Grade One wins – have been abroad.
Charlie Appleby’s six-year-old gelding could raise his profile with the British betting public significantly on Saturday, however, when he will be a live 7-2 shot against Auguste Rodin, last year’s Derby winner, in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
Auguste Rodin was a major flop when favourite for this race last year, which was his second no-show in four outings, and while he has since found a little more consistency to take his career record to six Group One wins, even his best form does not give him more than a pound or two in hand on Rebel’s Romance.
He was also last of 12 behind Rebel’s Romance (3.40) in a strong renewal of the Sheema Classic at Meydan four months ago, and the ultra-consistent winner there has an impressively game attitude and no-nonsense front-running style to go with his talent. William Buick will know just what is required on Saturday and at around 7-2, they are definitely an interest to defy all challenges in the straight.
Ascot 1.50 Simmering sets a decent standard but there is plenty of potential lined up against her and Definitive is an interesting alternative. Few of Clive Cox’s juveniles win on debut but those that do are generally worth following and Definitive’s comfortable success at Haydock this month was backed up by a useful time.
York 2.05 The return to this track and trip could again bring the best from Soul Seeker, already a dual winner of this quirky contest.
Ascot 2.25 The market seems ready to forgive Friendly Soul’s major flop in the Musidora in May and she would have an obvious chance on her winning form at Newmarket that month but it feels like a big risk at the prices, not least when Appleby’s unbeaten Devoted Queen is an obvious alternative at more attractive odds.
Ascot 1.15 Our Terms 1.50 Definitive 2.25 Devoted Queen 3.00 New Image (nap) 3.40 Rebel’s Romance (nb) 4.15 Chancellor 4.50 Bopedro 5.25 Woolhampton
Newcastle 2.00 Sutue Alshams 2.35 Baltic 3.10 Bear Kode 3.50 Bateman 4.25 Martin’s Brig 5.00 Split Elevens 5.30 Musical Diva
York 2.05 Soul Seeker 2.40 Ferrous 3.15 Alflaila 4.00 Mae Amor 4.35 Zozimus 5.10 Theory Of Tides 5.40 Alreet Cha
Chester 2.10 Wiltshire Lad 2.45 Grey Fable 3.20 Lahab 4.05 Warm Spell 4.40 Secret Mistral 5.20 King Of Tonga 5.50 Theoryofeverything
Lingfield 5.15 Red Cloud 5.45 Queen Of Steel 6.15 El Fox 6.45 Zu Run 7.15 Clipsham La Habana 7.45 Smooth Silesie 8.15 Nordic Glory
Salisbury 6.00 Invited 6.30 Media Guest 7.00 Makes Sense 7.30 Moe’s Legacy 8.00 Chourmo 8.30 Hutchence
York 2.40 Nothing went right for Ferrous in the Wokingham last time but he has a better chance on his earlier form than odds of around 16-1 might imply.
Ascot 3.00 Like so many recruits to the David O’Meara stable, New Image has been progressing steadily and ran as if this stiff seven furlongs could be ideal when finishing a close third at York last month, while Mark Winn’s 3lb claim is another plus.
York 3.15 Passenger has undoubted potential but looks too short on his bare form against last year’s winner, Alflaila, who ran well in Group One company first time up last month.
