Rebel prevails in Gold Cup

The Ascot Gold Cup produced another brilliant finish today as Royal Rebel (8/1) wore down the ultra-game veteran Persian Punch to land yet another Group One prize for Johnny Murtagh.

Murtagh edged ahead inside the last two furlongs on board the eventual winner but was made to fight tooth-and-nail all the way to the line as Persian Punch gave his all in a renewed challenge under Richard Quinn.

The pace had been hot from the start with Yavana`s Pace and Persian Punch disputing it from the off. Persian Punch made a bold bid for home from fully a mile out.

He was challenged by Marienbard and Royal Rebel from the turn in and it was Murtagh`s mount who stayed on best as Marienbard weakened. Jardine`s Lookout ran on well to claim third spot.

'They took the blinkers off hoping he would travel a bit better as he was getting outpaced in his races.' said an exhausted Murtagh afterwards.

'I was hard at work for the final mile but Frankie (Dettori on Marienbard) pushed us along and once we had something to aim at I was pretty confident.

'He`s a fierce ride but that`s what I`m there for. He`s hard work but his heart is in the right place. If it was all steering jobs it would be too easy.'

For Persian Punch`s trainer David Elsworth it was a case of wiping away the tears and reflecting on a fifth frustrating end to an Ascot Gold Cup bid by his eight-year-old.

'It shows you what a dreadful sport racing can be because we have had the winner behind us on the last four occasions,' he said.

'Still we may well come back for a sixth attempt next year. You can`t win if you`re not in,' he added.

The favourite San Sebastian was never a contender and was beaten racing into the straight.