Ventura Rebel (Declan McDonogh) beating Forever In Dreams© Photo Healy Racing
Ventura Rebel returned to form when landing the Qatar Racing And Equestrian Club Renaisance Stakes at the Curragh.
The Richard Fahey-trained colt won twice early last season as a juvenile and went close in the Norfolk Stakes but this was his first victory since.
The 10/1 chance, who was also placed at Royal Ascot this year when third to Golden Horde in the Commonwealth Cup, had lost his way a bit in recent starts but this was a welcome return to form in first time cheek-pieces. Forever In Dreams set a strong pace in this six-furlong Group 3 event, while Romantic Proposal looked a big threat when travelling smoothly to challenge two furlongs out.
However, Declan McDonogh good a great tune out of Ventura Rebel inside the final furlong and was on top in the final 100 yards to score by half a length.
Forever In Dreams and Summerghand took the minor honours with Romantic Proposal in fourth.
McDonogh said, “Richard said he had been a bit disappointing but he was coming to the boil and I was getting on him at the right time.
“He raced lazy but the pace was good and when I switched him out he really ran towards Seamie (Heffernan, on Forever In Dreams) and found plenty for pressure.
“Richard said the headgear was helping him and maybe he’d just got a little bit clever. He toughed it out good in the end and could win another one of those.”
