Rebel with a cause for Newcastle backers

Ventura Rebel can make a victorious return to action and book his ticket for Royal Ascot in the Betway Pavilion Stakes at Newcastle.

Richard Fahey’s runner won his first two starts in fine style last year, springing a 201 surprise at Ascot last May when he accounted for highlytouted American raider Lady P au line without too much fuss.

That run promptedturn to Berkshire for the Royal meeting and Ventura Rebel did them proud in the Norfolk Stakes over five furlongs.

A 16-1 shot on that occasion, Ventura Rebel did not enjoy a dream passage but was putting in all his best work at the finish, although he never looked like topping A’Ali, who reopposes here. Just a neck separated the pair that day and with A’Ali having to concede 3 lb, Ventura Rebel theoretically has a fine chance of reversing the form, particularly as this six-furlong trip promises to suit.

Ventura Rebel’s supporters will have to forgive him for his defeat as favourite in the Super Sprint though, in what transpired to be his final run of last term.

Beaten two lengths, he was then sidelined for the the campaign but should not be underestimated here, wit haste pup in distancein what is a trial for the Commonwealth Cup.

Fahey should also be on the mark with Splinter in the first division of the Betway Heed Your Hunch/British Stallion Stud sE BF Novice Median AuctionS takes.

He was slowly away on his debut at the back end of last year but still managed to finish fourth, beaten just a length, and looked a likely future winner. Stone Mason attracted plenty of support at this track on Monday, but his supporters were left disappointed as he could finish only sixth behind Zodiakos.

Having his first start for Mick Appleby, the trainer had warned he may need the run, so Stone Mason is possibly not one to desert just yet as he goes in the Read Andrew Balding On Betway Insider Handicap.

Newmarket’s 10-race feast opens with six juvenile events, so it may pay to wait until later in the day for Mia Mento in the first division of the Play 4 To Win At Betway Handicap.

The four-year-old was rated as high as 91 when trained by Tom Mullins, but she did not quite find her stride last season and was transferred to the care of Peter Chapple-Hyam over the winter.

She shaped with a good bit of promise on her first run for the yard at Newcastle in February, finishing fourth after failing to find a clear run at the business end of the race.

Mia Mento then returned to Gosforth Park the following month but was up against it from the start as she was slowly away and probably had to expend a bit too much energy making up lost ground which told in the finish.