Abdullah Menahi's G2 Norfolk S. runner-up Ventura Rebel (GB) (Pastoral Pursuits {GB}) is coming into the July 20 £250,000 Weatherbys Super Sprint in fine form, according to trainer Richard Fahey. One of five Fahey-trained runners pointing to the lucrative Newbury contest, the bay will aim to give his trainer his third victory in six years.
Fahey, who also has G2 Queen Mary S. sixth Mighty Spirit (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) and the maiden winners Show Me Show Me (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), who won the Brocklesby, and Baileys in Bloom (Fr) (Supplicant {GB}), among his possible entrants, told the Weatherbys notes team, “I'd say Ventura Rebel will run in the Super Sprint because it's an ideal race for him. We gave him a bit of a chance after Royal Ascot, and we didn't contemplate Newmarket as he'd had three runs already. He's in great form and I couldn't be any happier with him. He's improving all of the time and on paper he's the one to beat. Anything that beats him will deserve to win.
“It's a big pot for the market we are dealing in and so it's a race we like to target. We tend to deal in the lower end of the market and a lot of our horses don't cost a lot, so it's a good race for us. We've had some good results there, and it's a good day out for the owners.”
Trainer Richard Hannon, who has won the Weatherbys Super Sprint on nine occasions, has eight nominated, the star entrants being Separate (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}), who was second at Windsor on June 29 and the winning Ocasio Cortez (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}). Hannon also lifted the 2018 edition with Ginger Nut (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}).
Hannon said, “I'd say Ventura Rebel looks a certainty for Richard Fahey, but Separate [second to a potentially smart newcomer at Windsor last time] would have a chance, and Ocasio Cortez is pretty quick. They would probably be my best chances.”
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