Globetrotting Rebel's Romance the class act in Yorkshire Cup but he steps into the unknown on the Knavesmire

This is a fascinating race because there we were thinking that the Yorkshire Cup would be contested by all the usual suspects who turn up for every big staying race, and suddenly Rebel’s Romance has been parachuted in by Godolphin to throw a cat among the pigeons.

Horses who run in staying races tend to be those who have come up short at the very top level over shorter trips, such as Kyprios. He has dominated the staying division in recent years, but only after he was unable to prove he was a Derby contender at three.

Sweet William was beaten in three of his four starts over a mile and a half or a furlong shorter, but has developed into a smart stayer, while Continuous has run in three Group 1s over a mile and a half and been beaten each time. However, he won on his sole run at the top level over further in the St Leger two years ago.

Continuous: runs in the Yorkshire CupCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

They are exactly the sort of horses who you would expect to see in this race and, to put it bluntly, Rebel’s Romance isn’t. He can boast an excellent record over a mile and a half, winning seven Group or Grade 1s around the world, including last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar.

He’s simply too good to be a stayer and the Racing Post Rating of 121 he achieved when fourth in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan last time would have been good enough to land the last ten runnings of this. He is a class apart, but has the weight to show for it.

He carries a Group 1 penalty and concedes 2lb to Sweet William, and 5lb to Continuous, but he can run quicker than them and it will be a surprise if he is tripped up by an extra couple of furlongs. It’s also only 41 days since his run at Meydan, so fitness won’t be an issue.

Epic Poet and Alsakib complete the five-runner field and are both rated 13lb behind Rebel’s Romance on BHA ratings. They look outclassed, even with the 5lb weight concession.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

Rebel's tries a new trick

Charlie Appleby believes Rebel's Romance will not be disadvantaged by an additional two furlongs as he enters new territory in the Yorkshire Cup.

It is also a first run on the Knavesmire for the seven-year-old in a race his stable has yet to win.

Rebel's Romance: steps up in trip for the Yorkshire CupCredit: Neville Hopwood (Getty Images)

Appleby said: "Rebel’s Romance goes into this in great shape. He's stepping up a couple of furlongs, but we feel that it should be within his compass. 

"If he does get the trip he'll obviously be a leading player. I can’t fault how well he is at the moment, he looks fantastic, and I think the track at York will suit as well."

William 'will need the race'

John and Thady Gosden, joint-trainers of Sweet William, were no doubt rueing their luck when Rebel's Romance was added to the race. 

Sweet William was one of Britain's best stayers last year, winning the Doncaster Cup and finishing third behind Kyprios in the Ascot Gold Cup and second behind that rival in the Goodwood Cup and Long Distance Cup.

Sweet William: admirable stayer out for more Group 2 gloryCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

There is no Kyprios on his return, but Rebel's Romance stands in the way of a second Group 2 victory.

John Gosden said: "They've brought a two-time Breeders' Cup winner here and the old boy is fine, but he'll definitely need the race. 

"He doesn't do a lot at home and the biggest problem will be before the race as he's very fresh. It'll be a bit of a rodeo show beforehand, but he's in good form."

Can Poet land epic Yorkshire win?

The Yorkshire Cup is a race high on the radar of David O'Meara and Epic Poet is his representative.

The six-year-old enjoyed a fine winter when winning a handicap at Meydan before finishing second in the Red Sea Turf Handicap on the Saudi Cup undercard and third in the Dubai Gold Cup.

O'Meara said: "It's a race we'd really love to win. We nearly won it a fair few years ago when Blue Bajan wasn't beaten too far by Duncan. Epic Poet had a really good winter in the Middle East. He's in good form and will like the ground, but it'll be a tough race with Rebel's Romance a worthy favourite."

Continuous was a place behind Epic Poet in Saudi Arabia before disappointing in the Dubai Gold Cup.

His trainer Aidan O'Brien said: "We're looking forward to seeing how he gets on. He won the Great Voltigeur at York a few years ago so he obviously likes the track and the trip should be no problem either."
Reporting by Matt Rennie

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