Legendary jockey Kieren Fallon tips ‘overlooked' superstar to stun them all in £1.5million King George
The blockbuster Ascot Group 1 is being billed as a mouthwatering rematch between Coronation Cup 1-2 Jan Brueghel and Calandagan.
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Rebel's Romance ridden by William Buick on their way to winning the Hardwicke Stakes during day five of Royal Ascot
Credit: PA
Aidan O'Brien's runner got the better of the French raider that day but the market has Calandagan reversing the form this time.
Nestled behind them in the betting is Andrew Balding's Kalpana, who will get 3lb from the big boys.
But Fallon, who won the King George on Golan in 2002, is happy to bypass the market leaders and go for one at an each-way price, even if bookies are only paying two places.
The six-time champion jockey is drawn to the chances of globetrotting sensation and 6-1 fancy Rebel's Romance.
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The Charlie Appleby-trained, Godolphin-owned hero has won more than £10m in his career and finished first in three of four races this year.
Most recent of those was his Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes victory at Royal Ascot.
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes odds
Saturday's feature will pit the best of the best against each over 1m4f.
Here's how the bookies currently have it...
13-8 Calandagan
7-4 Jan Brueghel
9-2 Kalpana
6-1 Rebel's Romance
12-1 Lambourn
16-1 Whirl
33-1 Green Impact
100-1 Continuous
Not only did that salvage what was turning into a disastrous week for Appleby, but it confirmed he loves the Berkshire track in the summer.
Fallon reckons everything points towards conditions suiting again on Saturday.
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And he thinks Rebel's Romance, despite being three years older than Jan Brueghel and Calandagan, has plenty of miles left in the tank.
He said on Sky Sports Racing: "I would love to ride Rebel's Romance - he's a monster, a beautiful, big, genuine horse.
"He's coming into the race strong after his Royal Ascot win.
"His confidence will be very high."
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Former jockey Seb Sanders agreed that Rebel's Romance was 'overlooked' in the market.
Fallon added: "Jan Brueghel is tough but I think Rebel's Romance, if he turns up, is going to be a hard horse to beat.
"He looks amazing, is lightly raced and is doing everything right at home.
"After his last run he will only improve, he didn't have a hard race and it was a confidence booster for him."
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