Punting pointers for the Super Sprint as Norfolk second Rebel sets the standard

Ventura Rebel sprang a surprise when turning over Wesley Ward hotpot Lady Pauline on Royal Ascot Trials Day and he again performed better than the market expected to finish runner-up in the Norfolk Stakes at 16-1.

However, he certainly won't be missed in the betting this time and is set to go off the shortest-priced favourite since Romantic Myth was beaten at 10-11 in 2000.

There is no doubt Ventura Rebel's Royal Ascot second represents the best form on offer and trainer Richard Fahey, who has won the race three times in the last six years, is expecting a bold bid.

Fahey said: "He's in good form and I've been happy with him at home since Ascot. There are a lot of horses who are unexposed and could be anything but strictly on form he sets the standard."

Ratings point to stablemate being the danger

Ventura Rebel certainly does set the standard as only one rival is within 11lb of the red-hot favourite on weight-adjusted Racing Post Ratings. That opponent is stablemate Mighty Spirit, whose excellent second over York's sharp five furlongs in the Listed Marygate Fillies' Stakes leaves her rated 6lb behind her much-vaunted stablemate.

Mighty Spirit followed that run with a creditable sixth in the Queen Mary, when she produced a performance of similar merit on the ratings, but was significantly below her best at Beverley last time when beaten as the 1-3 favourite.

Fahey said: "She has a bit to find on her form at Beverley [when beaten at 1-3] but the winner could be all right and the rest of her form is solid. I've had this race in mind all season."

Only once has Fahey won the Super Sprint with his first string, when Peniaphobia, who went on to win a Group 1 in Hong Kong, struck at 5-1 in 2013.

His four-strong team is completed by Show Me Show Me and Baileys In Bloom, and he added: "Show Me Show Me will be suited by any rain at Newbury, while Baileys In Bloom is helped by having a nice low weight."

Hannon family bidding for record tenth success

Ginger Nut claimed the valuable prize last year to give the Hannon family a record ninth success, and the yard launch a four-pronged assault that is weaker than you would expect for this race .

Hannon jnr, who also won the race with Tiggy Wiggy in 2014, identified recent Windsor runner-up Separate as his best chance.

Hannon said: "She’s got a lot of class and would probably be our best chance. I like her attitude and her work has been very good. I fancy her to run a huge race if getting some luck from stall 24."

Hannon is also represented by outsiders Audio, Ocasio Cortez and Bacchalot.

Rain a worry for Osborne

Emten finished a shade more than four lengths behind Ventura Rebel at Royal Ascot and a 3lb swing in the weights should not be enough to reverse the form.

However, it was a creditable effort by a filly tackling the top colts on just her second start, and there is a case for saying she shaped better than the bare result having raced without cover on the flank.

Trainer Jamie Osborne expects her to improve on that performance but believes her chances have been dented by the rain which forced the going to ease to good to soft during racing on Friday.

He said: "She ran well at Ascot on only her second start, and mine tend to improve so I'm hopeful she'll progress. She's quick and as she gains experience will become even sharper. I think she'll be a better filly on better ground, so rain is not ideal."

Osborne also runs Seraphinite, who won a Kempton novice in May but has been beaten twice since and needs to improve.

What they say

Karl Burke, trainer of Never In Paris
Never In Paris is a lovely filly who deserves a crack at this type of race and goes there with a chance. She did the job very well first time out at Nottingham and will definitely improve. She'll be better over six furlongs in time but she's far from short of speed.

Rod Millman, trainer of Bettys Hope and Daddies Diva
Bettys Hope has had a good season but she won her last two over six furlongs so the drop back to five is a bit of a concern. However, the rain could make it a stiffer test than normal. Daddies Diva won on soft ground and Nottingham and has a low weight. I would have preferred had they not been drawn on the wings.

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