Rebel claims Gold Cup double

Royal Rebel (16-1) claimed back-to-back Ascot Gold Cups when battling back to deny 5-2f Vinnie Roe today.

Mark Johnston`s enigmatic stayer chased Persian Punch throughout and pulled out all the stops to get the better of Vinnie Roe and Wareed in a three-way battle in the last furlong.

Persian Punch, runner-up 12 months ago, made the running and was quickly joined by Royal Rebel who was given a smack by Murtagh in the early stages to take second place.

Jardines Lookout and Rainbow High were just behind the leading two and the order did not change until Richard Quinn kicked for home four furlongs out in a bid to outsmart his rivals.

Royal Rebel had to be hard-ridden to keep his position but he responded gamely for his jockey as Persian Punch was the first to crack in the straight.

The race developed into a three-horse contest in the final furlong with Royal Rebel, who was headed in the final 100 yards, fighting back to get the better of Vinnie Roe and Wareed in the dying strides.

He is the first horse to win back-to-back Gold Cups since Drum Taps in 1992 and 1993.

Royal Rebel was winning his first race since last year`s thrilling triumph but Johnston said he had never lost faith with his six-year-old.

He said: 'They won`t call him too many names now!

'It`s just fantastic. I`ve said for quite a while not to discount him because the horse has been physically very well.

'You`d have to say it was a different Royal Rebel today - probably the best we`ve seen him in many years really.

'It`s the first time I`ve seen the horse switched on in a while and I knew if he could go well for the first four furlongs he would take a lot of beating at the end of two and a half miles.'

There was better news for Dermot Weld earlier in the afternoon as he made the perfect start to Gold Cup day.

The trainer and jockey pat Smullen warmed up for their tilt at the big race by taking the Ribblesdale Stakes through Irresistible Jewel.

Their 12-1 shot, runaway winner of a maiden at Naas early this month, swooped very late in the Group Two contest to lead close home for a three-quarters of a length defeat of Shadow Dancing.

'I was quietly confident she would run very well today,' admitted Weld.

'I said at Naas that she had won effortlessly and she would love to go a mile and a half. She is a big, progressive filly and there is more improvement to come.

'She could go for the American Oaks, which is a new invitation race at Hollywood Park, or there is also the Irish Oaks and that would give her more time as it is not until mid-July.'