13:55 Newbury

Saturday 22 April 2017

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:4517:2017:55

Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes (Group 3) (Registered As The John Porter Stakes)

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 2m 31.58s

(7)

Quarterback^p,t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Haugen| OR: 108

66/1

Group 3 winner in Denmark and Listed winner in Sweden. Now based in Newmarket but struggled on these shores on his last couple of starts and he'll struggle to concede weight to this field.

Form: 31910-6

(5)

Chemical Charge^p1²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R M Beckett| OR: 107

9/2

Won his first two starts for this yard before being sent to Ireland where he cut a frustrating figure, finishing runner-up on all three starts. Rejoined this yard at the end of last year and got back on track with a Doncaster win last time out, dominating a smart looking field. That looks like some of the best form on offer and he should go well again.

Form: 2222-12

(9)

Dylan Mouth⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: M Botti| OR: 110

12/1

Multiple Group winner in Italy for Stefano Botti, including three Group 1 successes, the latest at Capannelle at the end of 2015. Not been in quite the same form since then but ran some respectable races in Dubai this winter and he's ground versatile so should go well if he can build on those efforts.

Form: 77-2357

(1)

Second Step²¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: J P Spencer| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 106

12/1

Group 1 winner at Hoppegarten in Germany for Luca Cumani but largely struggled since, including the last twice in Listed company. Likely to get his optimum conditions here (12f on fast ground) but would need to be the subject of significant market support on yard debut to be of any interest.

Form: 55734-3

(3)

Crimean Tatar¹⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 109

5/1

Won both of his starts to date, winning his debut at Newmarket comfortably before beating a smart field at Kempton towards the end of last year that included the re-opposing Chemical Charge. Less exposed than most of these so there could well be more to come and no reason why he won't go well again if ready for this after a break.

Form: 11-4

(2)

Dal Harraild²¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: P Cosgrave| T: W J Haggas| OR: 109

9/2

Three wins from his last five starts, including a Listed contest last time at Newmarket where he made all in impressive fashion. Likely to need a little more in this race but worthy of respect for a trainer who has had a typically strong start to the campaign.

Form: 13131-6

(8)

Midterm¹⁸⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 115

3/1

Group 3 winner at Sandown last year before finishing a disappointing fifth when favourite a short-priced favourite for the Dante. Only narrowly denied in a Group 2 effort at Chantilly on comeback and that effort sets the standard on form here but his run on Champion's Day at Ascot was disappointing and he wouldn't appear to be the most straightforward type (can race keenly). Opposable at a likely short-price.

Form: 1/1527-5

(6)

Muntahaa²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Jim Crowley| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 113

9/2

Finished a close third in a Group 2 event at Royal Ascot and went on to win a Listed handicap at Chester over an extended 1m5f. That's his best effort yet and shaped like he needed the run on his comeback effort at the Lincoln meeting earlier in the month when third behind Chemical Charge; should come on for that run. The concern would be that he likes to race prominently and likely to find himself out in front on a course that is very difficult to win at from the front.

Form: 1314-31

Non-Runners

(4)

Restorer³⁴

Weight: 9-0| Age: 5

T: W R Muir J: M Dwyer

Forecasts

Midterm (3/1), Muntahaa (9/2), Chemical Charge (9/2), Dal Harraild (9/2), Crimean Tatar (5/1), Second Step (12/1), Dylan Mouth (12/1), Restorer (33/1), Quarterback (66/1)

Midterm's effort at Chantilly last year in a Group 2 is an eye-catching piece of form, but he's not the most straightforward type and his best efforts have come with a little more cut than he looks likely to get here so there may be value to be found in the remainder of the field. CRIMEAN TATAR was very impressive last time out overcoming greenness at the start to scythe his way through the field and win with a touch up his sleeve. Chemical Charge is a little more exposed than some in here but he was impressive on his comeback run, winning at Doncaster and he may still have a little improvement in him. Any market support for multiple Group 1 winner Dylan Mouth would be interesting