Art primed for rebel revenge

There are any number of races at the forthcoming Royal Ascot meeting which promise to really get the juices going, but the St James's Palace Stakes is the most fascinating contest in prospect, and I fully expect Dutch Art to exact revenge on his 2000 Guineas conqueror, Cockney Rebel. Subsequent to the colts' Classic at Newmarket, Cockney Rebel added the Irish equivalent to his burgeoning CV, a race he won with more in hand than the one-length winning margin implies, and there's little question that Geoff Huffer's charge will take plenty of beating on June 19. However, reflecting on when the two colts met on the Rowley Mile at the beginning of May, for all that Cockney Rebel was a decisive winner, he was at a definite advantage racing up the stands' side, while Dutch Art, who was beaten just over two lengths into third, was fighting a losing battle on the far side. The selection's jockey, Jimmy Fortune, felt that his mount would have won had he been racing on the other side of the track. I have to agree with this. Indeed, you only need to look at the results at the Guineas meeting, especially on 1000 Guineas day, when every winner came up the stands' side. Furthermore, there was a lingering doubt as to whether Dutch Art would stay the trip ahead of the Guineas and, as such, he was held up well off the pace to give him every opportunity of getting home. Fact is, he came from just as far back as the eventual winner, demonstrating an equally impressive burst of acceleration. Take nothing away from Cockney Rebel, though, as he is clearly a colt out of the top drawer. He showed his versatility when landing the Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh where, owing to the small field and potential tactical warfare, Olivier Peslier elected to ride the Val Royal colt up with the pace, in contrast to Newmarket where he was ridden more patiently. Both Dutch Art and Cockney Rebel will be suited by conditions at Royal Ascot and there should be no excuses. Consequently, the unmasking of the top three-year-old miler will take place. Peter Chapple-Hyam's charge, who was a winner of the Norfolk Stakes over the minimum trip at this meeting last year, possesses a blistering turn of foot, which I believe will prove telling. Creachadoir has now finished second in two Classics. He was nailed on the line by Astronomer Royal before chasing home Cockney Rebel in the Irish version. Jim Bolger's admirable charge is as though as teak and should give another good account of himself but Excellent Art, who was fourth behind Astronomer Royal at Longchamp, may well turn the tables this time. Verdict - 2pts Dutch Art @ 5/2 (Stan James)