Another for Appleby? Rebel's Romance bids for Group 1 repeat at Cologne

Sunday: 3.35 Cologne
60th Preis von Europa sponsored by DZ Privatbank (Group 1) | 1m4f | 3yo+

Godolphin, Charlie Appleby and William Buick bid for more top-level international success when the four-timer-seeking Rebel’s Romance contests the Preis von Europa at Cologne on Sunday.

The four-year-old gained a Group 1 success at the first attempt with a neck victory in the Grosser Preis von Berlin at Hoppegarten last month. Two of his rivals, including fourth-placed Alter Adler, reoppose.

Rebel’s Romance recorded the same Racing Post Rating of 117 that day as when beating stablemate Kemari in the Glorious Stakes at Goodwood in July, but faces stiffer opposition in this 1m4f event.

His chief rival appears to be Sammarco, who landed the German Derby at Hamburg in July and followed up in the Grosser Dallmayr Preis-Bayerisches Zuchtrennen later that month. He recorded an RPR of 116 in his second Group 1 win and equalled that figure last time when a close third behind Mendocino in the Grosser Preis von Baden, and is in receipt of 6lb from Rebel’s Romance.

Appleby said: “Rebel's Romance has to concede weight to a couple of three-year-olds, including the German Derby winner, but we aren't sure he has reached his ceiling.

“He has progressed with each run and won at this level last time out, which makes us very hopeful he can put up another good performance.”

Sammarco is not the only German Derby winner in the seven-runner field as Jack Mitchell rides last year’s scorer Sisfahan on his reappearance.

Jack Mitchell (left): rides last year's German Derby winner SisfahanCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Sisfahan, one of two runners for trainer Henk Grewe, was last seen finishing seventh behind Rebel Romance’s stablemate Yibir in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar in November and has some eyecatching form from last year.

He finished second to subsequent Arc hero Torquator Tasso in the Grosser Preis von Baden before taking third behind Alpinista in this race last year.

Mitchell, who won the German St Leger in 2017, said: “He’s had a long time off but was bang there in the top Group 1 races in Germany last year and loves soft ground. I ride a bit for the owners and they asked me to go out there, so I’m looking forward to it. This will blow the cobwebs away but he should be thereabouts.”

Bayerisches Zuchtrennen runner-up Amazing Grace is another leading contender on the back of her Group 2 win at Baden-Baden this month, with Olivier Peslier maintaining the partnership.

Read these next:

'Tough' Torquator Tasso giving all the right signs in lead-up to Arc defence

Alpinista 'in great form' for Arc - but camp feel Luxembourg is the one to beat

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