13:40 Newbury

Saturday 13 April 2019

All13:4014:1014:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

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

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 2m 42.15s

(10)

Laraaib¹⁸⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 112| D

12/1

Rounded off last season when, blinkered for the first time, he showed a good attitude to beat Communique in a Group 3 contest at Ascot. Slightly surprising the headgear is left off for his reappearance, but has to be respected.

Form: 13/2961-

(7)

Young Rascal¹⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 116| CD

13/8

Tough and likeable sort who won four races last year, but found the challenge of the Derby coming too soon in his career. Likely to be even better this season and cut in the ground would help.

Form: 2/11711-

(5)

Aspetar¹⁶⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Watson| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 105

20/1

Won his first two races as a three-year-old, but was held later in the season. Still early days, but has plenty to find against some talented rivals.

Form: 11833-

(1)

Blakeney Point¹⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Adam J McNamara| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 105| CD

40/1

Stable companion of Aspetar and has a similar sort of chance on official ratings. Last of five behind Laraaib at Ascot on final start of last season, but is better judged on his previous success in a LIsted race at Chester. More needed, however.

Form: D54515-

(9)

Communique¹⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 109| CD

11/1

Progressed from handicaps to Group 3 comany last year, running Laraaib quite close at Ascot before finishing down the field behind Young Rascal over C&D. May have had enough for the season by then and should get much closer this time.

Form: 481125-

(8)

Defoe¹⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 117| CD

9/4

Looked good when winning this race last season, but was unable to kick on and cut little ice in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. This is much more his grade and he is probably the one to beat.

Form: 113202-

(3)

Marmelo¹⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: G Mosse| T: H Morrison| OR: 117| D

7/1

Progressive stayer who ran a stormer to chase home Cross Counter in the Melbourne Cup in November. Likely to be a strong contender in the Cup races this year, but may find this an insufficient test of stamina.

Form: 9/21122-

(6)

Pilansberg^b⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: L Morris| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 108

200/1

Regressive hurdler when trained by Paul Nicholls. First run for this yard and looks to have a huge task on his return to the Flat.

Form: 413430/

(4)

Proschema¹⁸³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 105| D

10/1

Progressive and talented handicapper last season, but found life too tough in the St Leger. Quite a bit to prove at this level, but is lightly raced and may be able to bridge the gap.

Form: 684382-

Non-Runners

(2)

Mootasadir¹⁴

Weight: 9-3| Age: 4

T: H Palmer J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Young Rascal (13/8), Defoe (9/4), Marmelo (7/1), Mootasadir (8/1), Proschema (10/1), Communique (11/1), Laraaib (12/1), Aspetar (20/1), Blakeney Point (40/1), Pilansberg (200/1)

A fine renewal of this Group 3 contest and it is only marginally that the vote goes to last year's winner DEFOE, who may be best caught fresh and will handle underfoot conditions. Young Rascal is open to further improvement and looks a big danger, while Laraaib has won at this level, the progressive Mootasadir should not be underestimated returned to turf and Communique is a typically-tough representative from his stable. Marmelo is a high-class performer, but probably needs further.