14:35 Newbury

Saturday 18 April 2026

All13:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:55

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

4YO plus | Class 1 | 1m 4f | 7 Runners | Turf

(1)

Convergent¹⁶¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 116| BF| D

2/1

Followed up a smart Leopardstown victory with an even better effort when winning a Group 2 at Longchamp and can be forgiven subsequent disappointment on soft ground in a Group 1 at Munich last November. Could be more to come but no easy task conceding weight to some smart rivals here.

Form: 132117-

(6)

Phantom Flight¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: W Buick| T: George Scott| OR: 112| C| D

11/2

Enhanced fine course record when winning the Group 3 HM The King's Cup at Sakhir (Bahrain) earlier this month, notching a first victory over 1½m to boot, though he may prove vulnerable in a stronger event here.

Form: 371-191

(5)

Al Aasy¹⁷⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 115| BF| CD

11/4

Strong traveller who hasn't always looked to relish a battle, but he was back to his best when winning Group 3 Glorious Stakes at Goodwood last summer. Shouldn't be judged too harshly on subsequent runs and has a good record fresh, winning this corresponding race on reappearance in 2021.

Form: 147159-

(7)

Bellum Justum³⁰¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 108| D

11/1

In need of the run when fifth in this corresponding race 12 months ago before going on to win Group 2 Jockey Club at Newmarket. Well held both starts in better company subsequently and this could be a stepping stone for repeat bid at HQ next month.

Form: 21/5169-

(2)

Lion's Pride⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 113| D

3/1

Not for the first time, looked decidedly smart when an emphatic winner of a Newmarket listed race in September. Well held in a pair of Group 2s in the Middle East over the winter, but eases slightly in grade here, and is fancied to make a bold bid on a track he should relish.

Form: 52/615-6

(4)

Pride Of Arras¹⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 115| D

Smart winner of the Dante and Great Voltigeur at York last season, backing up the latter success when third in Grade 2 Bahrain International Trophy (1¼m) in November. Step back up in trip will suit, and though there'll likely be bigger targets in mind, he still merits serious consideration.

Form: 1/10014-

(3)

Tenability^t¹⁹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Cieren Fallon| T: W J Haggas| OR: 103| D

12/1

Looked most progressive when landing a 4-timer in a warm handicap at Ascot and while he coped well on first foray into graded company when runner-up in the Cumberland Lodge there in October, this is a deeper race.

Form: 411112-

Forecasts

Convergent (5/2), Pride Of Arras (11/4), Al Aasy (7/2), Lion's Pride (5/1), Phantom Flight (10/1), Bellum Justum (14/1), Tenability (20/1)

LION'S PRIDE is very smart on his day and shouldn't lack for sharpness following a stint in the Middle East this winter. He's narrowly preferred to Pride Of Arras, who has to be feared with sights lowered on return, while 2021 winner Al Aasy should again give his running on seasonal reappearance.