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MATT CHAPMAN
A ‘special’ Group 1 winner all over the world, my Saturday NAP is primed to take Ascot’s £1.25million King George
It'll take a good one to stop him
OF any horse to have ever carried the blue of Godolphin Rebel’s Romance epitomises Sheikh Mohammed’s Dubai dream of global domination.
But having conquered Hong Kong, Meydan, Qatar, America and Germany, it’s at Ascot this afternoon that romance has the chance to blossom to a domestic marriage of bliss on the highest stage.
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It’s a truly international CV that makes the Charlie Appleby-trained runner such a special competitor in Saturday's big race, the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes which carries with it a fabulous history of the turf.
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The Group 1 showpiece, live on ITV, has the headline act of former Derby hero Auguste Rodin, whose Japanese sire Deep Impact has connections dreaming of a Japan Cup success later in the season.
Like Rebel’s Romance, Auguste Rodin is a Breeders’ Cup Turf hero. To have two going head-to-head is to be embraced.
Rebel’s Romance is a worldy. But he’s not scored at the highest level at home.
My Saturday NAP
REBEL’S ROMANCE (3.40 Ascot)
Has won five Group 1s all over the world and is a good bet to win his sixth back on home turf.
The son of Godolphin’s star sire Dubawi has run nineteen career starts but only five have taken place in the UK.
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That’s not all.
Only one of his last 12 outings have been in this country. Wow!
Around the globe he’s not only landed a Breeders’ Cup prize, but has taken a Sheema Classic (Auguste Rodin tailed off last), HH The Amir Trophy and a Preis von Europa and Grosser Preis von Berlin.
Oddly, considering he’s unbeaten on home soil, his most prestigious purse in the UK has been the Group 3 Glorious Stakes at Goodwood in 2022.
In ratings with a BHA mark of 123 (the same as Auguste Rodin), Rebel’s Romance is bang in the mix today, but more importantly his running style should be very much suited to the way the race unfolds.
Most expect Aidan O’Brien’s squad – headed by Auguste Rodin – to set a scorching gallop via Hans Anderson and more importantly Coronation Cup victor Luxembourg.
Many in the field would want to close in, with Dubai Honour, Goliath, Middle Earth, and Bluestocking seen as those who usually come from off the pace.
Rebel’s Romance is a stout stayer and he will be very hard to keep out the frame at the very least.
Auguste Rodin will be a strong favourite after a cosy success in the Prince of Wales’s at Royal Ascot.
He’s thrown in some shockers along the way, including in Meydan where Rebel’s Romance was a 25-1 chance and the O’Brien challenger just sent off at 11-8.
However, in general he has been a fine servant and he’s all class when producing his best play.
Auguste Rodin – bidding for a fifth O’Brien win in the contest - or Rebel’s Romance would be worthy winners of the King George, the mid-summer highlight that has fallen to horses like Ribot, Nijinsky, Mill Reef, Brigadier Gerard, Shergar, Dancing Brave, Montjeu, Galileo and Enable.
Bluestocking, is a live contender who runs for Ralph Beckett.
She looked a ‘nearly’ horse last term, but has banged in both starts this season and impressed in picking up Emily Upjohn in the Pretty Polly.
Rossa Ryan’s filly is getting her act together and she has a chance.
Sunway has a bit to prove on his Irish Derby form. He’ll be ridden by James Doyle having been ditched by champion-elect Oisin Murphy for Middle Earth.
John & Thady Gosden’s runner likes a fast pace to run at and he didn’t get it in the Hardwicke last time. He’s a lively outsider.
Dubai Honour is a fine horse but not many would really see him as a King George victor, while everyone will have to watch out for Luxembourg getting loose on the lead.
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He did just that in the Coronation Cup at Epsom and it’s worth remembering we are dealing with a horse who finished third in a 2000 Guineas. Not many of these have ever had the pace do that.
The bet for me is Rebel’s Romance. Time to yell for Rebel and hope he becomes an idol.
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