Rebel's Romance favourite for a follow up against strong group of fellow Brits in Qatar feature

Rebel's Romance bids to become the first British trainee to win back-to-back runnings of the Group 3 Amir Trophy (1.15) at Doha in Qatar.

The Godolphin flagbearer used the £2million contest in Qatar as a springboard to a stellar year in 2024, in which he recaptured his best form. It was a campaign that culminated in a second triumph in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar.

He warmed up for his latest assignment on the Al Rayyan dirt track on Friday, as did fellow British challengers Alflaila, King's Gambit and The Foxes.

Rebel's Romance is 4-5 favourite with Paddy Power and Alex Merriam, assistant to trainer Charlie Appleby, said: "It's great to be back with Rebel's Romance, who is our senior flagbearer this year. He thrived last year after missing out in 2023 and rounded off his campaign by winning for the second time at the Breeders' Cup. 

"He's wintered well in Newmarket and has travelled over great. It looks another good race this year. He was drawn wide last year but is better stalled [three] this time. He likes to go forward unless the pace is mad and, hopefully, he can come home strong like last year."

Of the opposition, Shadwell hope Alflaila has been keen enough in his work since he arrived in Qatar and jockey Jim Crowley will hope there's plenty of pace to get him to settle on his first go at a mile and a half.

Shane Mushcroft, travelling head lad to trainer Owen Burrows, said: "He's travelled over very well and the fast ground should not be a problem for him. What could be an issue is the trip as he's never been over a mile and a half before."

British trainers Tom Clover, Andrew Balding, Michael Bell and Harry Charlton on Friday morning at Al Rayyan racecourseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Alflaila faces a rematch with old rival King's Gambit, who he just edged out in the Group 2 Sky Bet Stakes at York last summer, but the latter will be sporting a change of colours this time after being bought by Qatari powerhouse operation Wathnan Racing.

Trainer Harry Charlton said: "He's had a couple of racecourse gallops at Kempton, and is pretty straight and has travelled over great. He was running over a mile and a quarter last year but did finish third in a very strongly run Great Voltigeur at York.

"He would have every chance of getting the mile and a half around this easier track."

Andrew Balding was at the track on Friday to oversee his hope The Foxes, who is fitter than most having run as recently as December in Hong Kong.

Alastair Donald, racing manager to owners King Power, said: "He had an injury last year but has looked better than ever this winter, winning a Listed race at Newcastle and then finishing fourth in the Hong Kong Cup. If they don't go a great pace it may help him over this longer trip and hopefully he can slot in and come home strong." 

As well as King's Gambit, Wathnan field two locally trained runners in a bid for a breakthrough first success at the meeting, Simca Mille and Supercooled. James Doyle, Wathnan's retained rider, is on Supercooled, winner of the Qatar Derby in December.

Wathnan Racing's team from left: Case Clay, Olly Tait and Richard BrownCredit: Edward Whitaker

Trainer Alban De Mieulle said: "James Doyle came and rode Supercooled against Simca Mille last weekend and he went the best and he has decided to ride him. This is the first time that Supercooled has gone a mile and a half but I'm not too worried as he wasn't stopping when winning over a mile and a quarter in the Qatar Derby last time. Simca Mile ran in it last year when it was a bit stop-start so we are hoping for a truer pace this time."

Officials are hoping Saturday's card passes without incident after racing was delayed at the track on Friday due to concerns about the home turn on the turf track. After a delay of more than two hours, the ten-race card was allowed to resume under lights.  

Of the shoulder races on the card, there are three British hopefuls in the local Group 3 Dukhan Sprint (10.55) including the Wathnan Racing-owned Rogue Lightning, who will be a first runner in Qatar for Tom Clover.

His fellow Newmarket trainer Stuart Williams fields the prolific Quinault, of whom he said: "It was a no-brainer to come as last year he won three Listed races at home and not even £100,000, so it was a no-brainer to come here where the winner gets £185,000."

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