International superstar Rebel’s Romance will look to add an elusive British Group One to his CV when he lines up in the Group One King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,400m) at Ascot on Saturday.

The only overseas winner of Hong Kong’s Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m), Charlie Appleby’s globetrotter has won 18 of his 26 career starts including seven top-level successes in four different countries.

He added a Royal Ascot win to his incredible record when surging clear to land the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes (2,400m) last month and is at the top of his game as he looks for the only thing that has eluded him so far - a Group One win at home.

“Rebel’s Romance goes into this in great order. There was plenty of strength in depth in this contest 12 months ago, when he ran a good race, and it looks a similarly strong renewal this time around,” said trainer Appleby.

“He is taking on younger opposition again but, wherever he finishes, the others will know that they have had a race.”

It will be no easy task, however, with three superstar rivals all with cast-iron claims of winning the £850,650 (HK$9,000,000) first prize.

Calandagan and and Jan Brueghel top the market for Francis-Henri Graffard and Aidan O’Brien respectively, with the pair clashing in the Group One Coronation Cup (2,400m) at Epsom last month.

On that occasion, O’Brien’s Jan Brueghel fended off Calandagan by a neck after a sustained battle in the final two furlongs and there is unlikely to be much between them once again.

Kalpana is the other big fancy for in-form trainer Andrew Balding. The filly won the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (2,250m) at Ascot in October and has subsequently placed in two Group One races this season.

The feature is part of an eight-race programme from Ascot, with all the races being simulcast. There is also a pair of races from York, with the headline act being the Group Two York Stakes (2,000m).

Almaqam, who beat subsequent Group One winner Ombudsman on reappearance at Sandown, is the key runner for trainer Ed Walker and Kieran Shoemark.

He takes on Group One Epsom Derby (2,400m) fifth Stanhope Gardens and Group Two scorer Bay City Roller, who has finished runner-up in both his starts this campaign.