13:50 Newbury

Saturday 16 April 2022

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:2017:55

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

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 2m 36.31s

(2)

Ilaraab^p¹⁷⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 108| CD

9/4

Last seen winning the St Simon Stakes on heavy ground over C&D in October, making it two from three at the track (also ran well on only other visit), and it's worth noting that he was an impressive scorer on last season's reappearance, so excellent claims.

Form: 180331-

(4)

Max Vega¹⁷⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 105

9/2

Winless since 2019 but ended 2021 with a string of solid efforts, runner-up to Ilaraab in St Simon Stakes over C&D on final outing in October. Well respected.

Form: 40/7532-

(1)

Raymond Tusk²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: M Harley| T: A King| OR: 106| C| D

15/2

Smart type who looked as good as ever when landing a minor event at Doncaster with plenty in hand last month. Well up to this level and has a fitness edge on some.

Form: 23228-1

(7)

Red Verdon^b⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 104| D

28/1

Smart veteran who picked up a Group 2 at Longchamp last summer and returned to action with a creditable second in a handicap at Wolverhampton last week. Likely to be thereabouts.

Form: 21535-2

(3)

Stowell^t²⁸²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 104| D

8/1

Ascot 11f maiden winner but off since coming in last of 5 to Yibir in Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket (13f) 9 months ago. Still low mileage, and he shouldn't be written off.

Form: 2135-

(6)

Thunderous³⁰¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: C Soumillon| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 110| C

10/3

Smart colt who ran with credit in pattern company last season without managing to get his head in front. Gelded since last seen and should be ready to go, so he looks the one to beat.

Form: 21/7324-

(5)

Invite¹⁸²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: J F Egan| T: A M Balding| OR: 103| D

15/2

Useful filly who scored twice last season, including a listed event at Chester. Needs to return with a career-best to make the breakthrough in this grade, however.

Form: 221515-

Forecasts

Ilaraab (9/4), Thunderous (10/3), Max Vega (9/2), Raymond Tusk (15/2), Invite (15/2), Stowell (8/1), Red Verdon (28/1)

ILARAAB goes well at this course and he was successful on last season's reappearance, so he gets the marginal vote in a tightly-knit contest. Thunderous is the form pick and should be tuned up, so he's also on the radar with Max Vega, who was runner-up to the selection when last seen.