Rebel faces strong Palace field

Cockney Rebel will face a maximum of 10 rivals in his bid to land the St James’s Palace Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot.

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 Irish and English 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.