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

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 2m 40.21s

(6)

Danehill Kodiac¹³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 112| D

8/1

Winner in this grade at Ascot over the trip on good to soft last season, also won over this trip at Newmarket (soft) on first start last term, so can go well fresh. Consistent sort, should go well.

Form: 142130-

(2)

Autocratic²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 112

12/1

Group 3 scorer at Sandown (1m2f, good to firm) early last season, but come up short at this level subsequently. Fit from AW action this spring, but the likely ground has got to be a concern.

Form: 6176-92

(4)

Call To Mind²⁰³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 107| C

9/4

Listed winner over 1m6f (good) at Goodwood in August and ended last term with agonising second in Group 2 at Chantilly (1m7f, good). This drop in distance may not be ideal, but commands respect.

Form: 136312-

(1)

Defoe²¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 113| C

5/4

Highly progressive last season, winning four on the bounce including Group 3 Geoffrey Free Stake here over slightly longer trip. Didn't appear to get home in the St Leger. Goes well fresh and conditions/trip no concern.

Form: 0/11110-

(5)

What About Carlo¹⁷⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 108| C

10/1

He's effective in soft ground and trainer has enjoyed a fine start to the season. May be biting off more than he can chew at this level though not disgraced in C&D Group 3 in the autumn (behind Raheen House).

Form: 210925-

(3)

Titi Makfi¹⁶⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 103| D

14/1

Progressive filly in handicaps last season, winning six of 10 starts, including Listed AW win at Kempton in first attempt over this trip on final outing in November. More called for but yard in good form and acts on soft ground.

Form: 212631-

Forecasts

Defoe (5/4), Call To Mind (9/4), Danehill Kodiac (8/1), What About Carlo (10/1), Autocratic (12/1), Titi Makfi (14/1)

DEFOE was hugely progressive last term and while things didn't pan out for him in the St Leger, he should have a bright future ahead and can rubberstamp that notion with a winning return to action. Sir Michael Stoute does well in this race and his Autocratic is respected having enjoyed a couple of spins on the AW to gear up for this. The consistent Danehill Kodiac may settle for minor money conceding weight but could have an edge on the lightly-raced Call To Mind over this trip.