13:30 Newbury

Saturday 20 April 2024

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

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

Off time: 13:31 | Winning time: 2m 35.09s

(1)

Al Qareem¹⁶⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 112| D

8/1

Smart performer made a winning return to British shores in a Chester listed event last season before following up in the Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot. Another game effort in defeat when runner-up to Hamish in the St Simon Stakes at Newmarket (12f, soft, 9/4) and he's a player on return.

Form: 5/00112-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(3)

Hamish¹⁶⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 117| D

5/2

Won 4 all starts at this level last season, latterly when getting the better of Al Qareem in the St Simon Stakes (5/4) at Newmarket (12f, soft). Conditions here well suit and he sets the standard on seasonal comeback.

Form: 12/1111-

(4)

Alsakib¹²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: A M Balding| OR: 104| D

15/2

Developed into a smart performer last season, bagging pair of valuable handicaps at Ascot and Newmarket late in the season. Bit disappointing when last seen in Qatar but no shock if he made an impact at this level this season.

Form: 113117-

(10)

Arrest²¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: K Shoemark| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 114| BF| C| D

11/4

Looked a very good prospect when winning the Chester Vase on last season's return. Also landed the Geoffrey Freer Stakes here (13.3f) later in the summer prior to a find second in the St Leger at Doncaster (14.5f, good to soft). Should have even more to offer this season and he's highly respected.

Form: 2/10512-

(6)

Certain Lad¹⁷⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: George Bass| T: J Channon| OR: 108

40/1

Proved he's still a smart performer when ending a near 3-year losing streak in a York handicap in October before following up at Doncaster a fortnight later. This is tougher, though, and others are preferred on balance.

Form: 062511-

(7)

Chesspiece¹⁹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 109| D

7/1

Looked a smart young staying prospect when scoring in a Hamilton listed event in July before meeting a narrow defeat in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. Only mid-field in the St Leger but soon back on track when runner-up in an Ascot listed event and he should do better this season.

Form: 131262-

(9)

Max Vega²²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 108| CD

16/1

Won this race in 2022 before also landing St Simon Stakes here later in season. Winless in 2023 but back on the scoresheet in a Wolverhampton handicap in February. Had little go his way at Newcastle last time and he's not completely ruled out of making the frame here.

Form: 946-218

(2)

Mujtaba^t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 114| C

17/2

Smart form when winning a pair of handicaps late in 2022 and ran well when runner-up in the Huxley Stakes at Chester on his sole outing last season. Presumably had issues to miss rest of campaign, though, and his comeback in France last time was a muted effort.

Form: 4181/2-6

(5)

Peking Opera⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: T P Queally| T: G & J Moore| OR: 105

125/1

Listed winner for Aidan O'Brien last season, when also fourth in the Irish Derby. Made a successful debut hurdling for this yard at Sandown in February but held when taking a late fall in the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (9/1) at Kempton (16f, soft) last time. More needed back on the Flat.

Form: 1/17473-

(8)

Salt Bay¹²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 105

33/1

Relatively lightly raced since making a winning debut at 2 yrs, producing his best effort when runner-up in a Doncaster handicap in September, Not ideally placed at Kempton next time but probably needs to step forward again to make serious impact here having been gelded over the winter.

Form: 13/7427-

Forecasts

Hamish (5/2), Arrest (11/4), Chesspiece (7/1), Alsakib (15/2), Al Qareem (8/1), Mujtaba (17/2), Max Vega (16/1), Salt Bay (33/1), Certain Lad (40/1), Peking Opera (125/1)

The first double-figure field since 2010 in this Group 3, with the eight-year-old HAMISH fancied to make it 5 wins in a row. William Haggas' gelding has conditions to suit and is a particularly reliable type, so sets a good benchmark for last season's St Leger second Arrest to aim at. Al Qareem was just behind the selection in the St Simon Stakes when last seen and is another leading player.