Royal Rebel won the Gold Cup for the second successive year at Royal Ascot this afternoon. The five-year-old trained by Mark Johnston and ridden by Johnny Murtagh, held the 5-2 favourite Vinnie Roe by a neck. A length back in third place was Godolphin's Wareed, ridden by Frankie Dettori.
Persian Punch, runner-up 12 months ago, made the running and was quickly joined by Royal Rebel. He had to be hard-ridden to keep his position but responded gamely for his jockey as Persian Punch was the first to crack in the straight. The race developed into a three-horse contest in the final furlong with Royal Rebel, who was headed in the final 100 yards, fighting back to get the better of Vinnie Roe and Wareed in the dying strides.
Royal Rebel, who was winning his first race since last year's thrilling triumph, is the first horse to win back-to-back Gold Cups since Drum Taps in 1992 and 1993.
Filed by Laura Reynolds
