Cockney Rebel likely to face strong Palace field
Geoff Huffer’s dual 2000 Guineas winner is in line to emulate the 2002 efforts of the brilliant Rock Of Gibraltar, the last horse to win both the English and Irish Guineas and then follow up at Royal Ascot.
If he is to be successful, however, he will have to fend off a five-strong attack by Aidan O’Brien.
The Ballydoyle handler could be represented by French 2000 Guineas winner Astronomer Royal, Excellent Art, an unlucky fourth in that race, Duke Of Marmalade, fourth in the English and Irish Guineas, Archipenko, winner of the Derrinstown Derby Trial, and recent Cork winner Sorolla.
Peter Chapple-Hyam has been making bullish noises regarding Dutch Art recently and he has high hopes he will be able to turn the tables on Cockney Rebel after he finished over two lengths behind him at Newmarket when racing on the other side of the track.
Another having another crack at Huffer’s star is Jim Bolger’s Creachadoir. A model of consistency this season, he was second in both the French and Irish Guineas and has a length to make up on Curragh running.
David Wachman’s He’s A Decoy, Brian Meehan’s Jack Junior and William Jarvis’ impressive Silver Bowl winner Tobosa complete the field.
Meanwhile Cockney Rebel has produced yet another sparkling piece of work according to trainer Geoff Huffer.
The three-year-old Val Royal colt, who is reportedly the subject of a £10m offer, worked on the Cambridge Road polytrack in Newmarket.
And Huffer believes he could even cope with a slow pace in the St James’s Palace Stakes on the first day of Royal Ascot next week.
“He worked brilliantly, and in the last furlong skipped 15 lengths clear of his regular lead horse Banjo Patterson,” said Huffer.
“He does like it quick but if it’s good ground that wouldn’t worry me.
“His time at Newmarket was the third-best ever and if they dawdle at Ascot it won’t faze him.”
George Washington will face a maximum of eight rivals on his eagerly-awaited return to the track in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.
Aidan O’Brien’s multi-talented colt missed the Royal meeting last year through injury and Ascot racegoers thought their chance of seeing him in action had disappeared when he was whisked off to stud following his brave effort in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
However, the four-year-old met with fertility problems in the mating shed and his racing career has been resurrected, to the delight of his handler.
Taking him on will be dual Group One-winning filly Red Evie, who made a winning seasonal return in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, beating a new recruit from Godolphin in the process, Ramonti.
The Italian import will be in opposition once again, hoping to give Sheikh Mohammed’s operation a long-awaited first Group One win of the season. They could also be represented by Notability.
James Fanshawe’s Cesare, who won the Royal Hunt Cup at the meeting last year, has, as expected, been supplemented.
Sir Michael Stoute’s Jeremy, winner of the Jersey Stakes 12 months ago, steps up in class to Group One level this year.
There could be two French representatives in the shape of Freddie Head’s Racinger and Francois Rohaut’s Turtle Bowl. John Hills’ Dark Islander completes the line-up.
The speedy Australian quartet of Takeover Target, Bentley Biscuit, Miss Andretti and Magnus head the 26 entries still standing for the King’s Stand Stakes on the opening day of the meeting.
Lee Freedman’s Miss Andretti currently heads the market for the five-furlong event ahead of Takeover Target, successful in the Group Two event last year.
Bentley Biscuit and Magnus are thought to be more suited to the six furlongs of the Golden Jubilee four days later.
The home defence will be led by Benbaun. Mark Wallace’s six-year-old was beaten a short head 12 months ago and returned better than ever on his seasonal reappearance at the Curragh.
Dandy Nicholls’ Tax Free is another sprinter at the top of his game and beat Dandy Man and Prix de l’Abbaye winner Desert Lord at Naas on his last start. All three are set to clash again.
Desert Lord is one of a strong team of four for Kevin Ryan who could also run Green Manalishi, King Orchisios and the three-year-old Wi Dud.
Last year’s Golden Jubilee winner Les Arcs is still a possible over the shorter distance.
