Rebel Rebellion

Rebel Rebellion was entitled to win the two-mile novice chase on Sandown’s Imperial Cup card, but he was really impressive in so doing.

He jumped superbly, he quickly jumped his way to the front, and he gave an exhibition down the back straight. He was given a breather on the run to the Pond Fence, which allowed the pursuers to close up behind him, but he took off again on the run away from that fence and another electric jump over the second last effectively secured him the race. He kept on really strongly up the hill in the ground to come right away and post an impressive win.

Paul Nicholls’ Lord Americo gelding is now two for two over jumps at Sandown, this was just his fourth chase, and he can go on again with his jumping obviously such a huge asset. He looks at his best when ridden aggressively over two miles rather than trying to preserve his stamina over longer. He goes on good ground as well – his jumping may be even better on good ground – and he could be an Aintree horse now, perhaps even a horse for the Grade 1 Maghull Novices’ Chase, or, failing that, the Red Rum Handicap Chase providing the handicapper doesn’t go mad after this run. Novices have a very good record in the Red Rum Chase and two miles around Aintree where jumping is so important and where front-runners are well served could suit him really well.

9th March 2013