Racecards
13:35 Newbury
Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes (Group 3) (Registered As The John Porter Stakes) (Class 1)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 1m 4f
- Going: Good (Watered)
- Surface: Turf
- £45,000 added
- Winner: £25,520
- 2nd: £9,675
- 3rd: £4,842
- 4th: £2,412
- Form 514110-
- Age 8
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer J S Goldie
- Jockey P Mulrennan
led and set strong pace, joined 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened quickly
- Form 3/5116-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer W J Haggas
- Jockey Jim Crowley
patiently ridden in last pair, steady headway on outside travelling well 3f out, led entering final furlong, soon clear, easily
- Form 115/210-
- Age 6
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer P W Chapple-Hyam
- Jockey R L Moore
held up off the pace in last trio, plugged on final 2f, never on terms with leaders
- Form 243334-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 93
- Trainer H Morrison
- Jockey W Buick
held up off the pace in mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, plugged on final 2f, never on terms with leaders
- Form 33/4811
- Age 6
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer A Watson
- Jockey Hollie Doyle
raced keenly, tracked leading pair at strong pace, pushed along 3f out, ridden to lead inside final 2f, headed 1f out, soon lost 2nd, stayed on same pace in 3rd
- Form 433-548
- Age 8
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer E A L Dunlop
- Jockey L Dettori
held up in rear, plugged on final 2f, never on terms with leaders
- Form 191-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer R Spencer
- Jockey K Shoemark
raced keenly, pressed leader who set strong pace, led over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out
- Form 31113-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer S & E Crisford
- Jockey Andrea Atzeni
tracked leaders in 4th, headway on outside 3f out, ridden to lead briefly 1f out, soon headed and stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
- Form 1255-69
- Age 4
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 77
off the pace in mid-division, weakened 3f out, tailed off
In depth
Verdict
Fitness usually plays its part in this always-interesting Group 3 contest. Outbox notched two victories last month so fitness is assured but this represents a major step-up in class. The evergreen Red Verdon has already been on his travels this year - to Riyadh and Meydan - and looks a leading player with Dettori booked. Euchen Glen, greatly improved last term, is an intriguing Scottish raider, whilst the progressive pair of Without A Fight and Tyson Fury tackle Group company for the first time and are respected. Indeed, all nine have some sort of chance, but William Haggas has made a splendid start to the season and AL AASY could be another for the Newmarket handler as he looked an exciting prospect last term until disappointing at Goodwood in July. He's not been seen since, but stable form hopefully suggests he'll be straight enough for this venture.
Formwatch
Euchen Glen 13-2 (9-10) Raced wide in touch, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 23, 16 3/4l behind On To Victory (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Al Aasy (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Steadied start, held up and always last, hung right and no headway final 2f, eased when no chance inside final furlong, last of 6, 8 1/4l behind Mogul (9-1) at Goodwood 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Jul.
Deja (FR) 12-1 (9-12) Raced wide in touch, pushed along over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 12th of 21, 10 1/4l behind Fujaira Prince (9-8) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Kipps (IRE) 11-4fav (8-12) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, plugged on into 4th final furlong, 4th of 8, 7 1/2l behind Euchen Glen (9-7) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) hvy in Oct.
Outbox 4-5fav (9-5) Made most, set steady pace, pushed along 2f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, unchallenged, won at Doncaster 1m 4f stks (2) gd in Mar beating Raymond Tusk (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Red Verdon (USA) (9-1) 8th of 11, 13 1/4l behind Subjectivist (8-9) at Meydan 2m Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Mar.
Tyson Fury 4-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, headway to lead over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, all out, won at Ascot 1m 4f stks (3) sft in Oct beating Golden Rules (9-2) by hd, 5 ran.
Without A Fight (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, shaken up over 3f out, kept on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Berkshire Rocco (9-1) at Ascot 1m 6f lst stks (1) sft in Oct.
Punting (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Led 1f, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 10 1/2l behind Starfighter (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Mar.