REBEL Gold gained his fourth, and most important success, when he won the Grade A Dan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse in January, his second win over the larger obstacles and adding to two victories over hurdles. Placed in a point-to-point, he has reserved his best form for chasing, and his placed efforts over fences include a pair of runner-up finishes in the Grade 2 Tim Duggan Memorial Handicap Chase at Limerick.

Trainer Pat Foley has the 10-year-old in the form of his life and sent Rebel Gold out to land the Grade 3 Newlands Chase at Naas at the weekend. A Grade 2 at Fairyhouse looks likely to be his next target.

Bred in Blessington, Co Wicklow by Jarlaith McCarthy, Rebel Gold failed to sell when offered as a three-year-old at Tattersalls Ireland in their November Sale. He is the only known produce of Julia’s Girl (Definite Article), and she was unplaced on all her four outings in bumpers. As a four-year-old she had the considerable assistance of trainer Paul Nolan and rider Barry O’Neill, and yet showed nothing in three starts. Nearly three years later she made another appearance in a bumper, with new connections, but again to no avail.

Sadly, Julia’s Girl was one of a number of offspring of the well-bred Green Desert (Danzig) mare Ashera, a winner herself in Germany at three, who failed to show any ability whatsoever on the racecourse. Ashera was one of nine winners from the West German stakes winner Angelita (Gay Mecene), and that mare had a number of notable siblings. The best of these was Ataxerxes (Exbury) who won six races in West Germany and the Netherlands, including the Group 1 Preis von Europa in 1980, was placed in the German Derby and came close to winning a Group 1 in Italy.

Angelita is also a half-sister to the dam of Anusha (Alzao), winner of the Grade 1 Ladbroke Hurdle at Leopardstown.