Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Fahey’s charge looks set to strike
VENTURA Rebel is extremely difficult to oppose as he bids to provide Richard Fahey with another victory in the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury today.
The Musley Bank maestro has saddled three of the last six winners of the lucrative event, with his eye for a bargain proving a useful weapon in a race restricted to horses who cost £63,000 or less at auction – and the weights determined by the price.
Ventura Rebel cost Middleham Park Racing just £28,000 when bought at last year’s Tattersalls Ireland Ascot September sale, and has proved an absolute steal.
The son of Pastoral Pursuits followed up a debut victory at Thirsk with an impressive defeat of the American challenger Lady Pauline on Royal Ascot Trials Day in May.
Ventura Rebel was subsequently bought by privately by Abdullah Menahi – presumably for a not inconsiderable sum – before the Norfolk Stakes at the Royal meeting, where he ran a blinder to finish just a
neck second to Simon Crisford’s winner A’Ali.
That form has been boosted, with fourth home Strive For Glory since claiming a Listed event in Ireland, and Fahey’s charge has already proved equally effective on fast and soft ground.
In short, it is tough to find any chinks in his armour, and he could well prove a class above this field.
Khaadem might be the answer to the bet365 Hackwood Stakes.
Having rounded off his juvenile campaign with successive wins, the Charlie Hills-trained colt picked up where he left off when winning the Carnarvon Stakes over this course and distance in May – earning a shot at the Commonwealth Cup.
He was disappointing at Royal Ascot – coming home seventh of the nine runners – but subsequent results have proved that was an extremely hot race, with Advertise and Ten Sovereigns fighting out the finish of last week’s July Cup, and the fifth, Royal Intervention, landing a Group Three at York.
Getting weight from his elders, Khaadem could well bounce back to form on his return to Berkshire.
Set Piece catches the eye in the opening bet365 Stakes – better known as the Steventon.
Hugo Palmer’s Craven Stakes third has not been seen in competitive action since finishing down the field in the 2000 Guineas, and could make more of an impact coming back in grade and stepping up in distance.
Elsewhere, Rowland Ward rates the best bet of the afternoon at Ripon. Ralph Beckett’s youngster was runner-up to the top-class Too Darn Hot on his Sandown debut last summer and has not done a lot wrong from there, with his late April success at Doncaster supplemented by three decent efforts in defeat.
He is certainly feasibly treated for the Inn At South Stainley Handicap on a mark of 81.