13.30
SoftDubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes (Registered As The John Porter Stakes) (Group 3)
- Prize money: £48203.5
- 1m 4f 0y
- Class 1
- 10 runners
Runners: 10 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly cloudy
11/4 (Won)
- Win: £3.50
- Place: £1.30
Form: /1111- D
Last run: 169 days
W: 9st 5lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 3 (8) |
25th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 1m 4f 0y Class 1 |
9st 6lb |
9yo who's won a hatful of Group 3s at 1m4f-1m6f in his long and distinguished career, one over C&D; beaten a head in this race on heavy going in 2022; produced a rather disappointing show in Ascot Group 3 three weeks ago but had Listed wins over Military Academy and Mount Atlas earlier this term and holds a major chance if returning to form. |
7/2 |
|
2 (2) |
4th Oct 2025 Good 1m 3f 211y Class 1 |
9st 6lb |
9yo who's won a hatful of Group 3s at 1m4f-1m6f in his long and distinguished career, including this race in 2022; also won 1m4f Listed races on last three outings, including in a good scrap involving Military Academy at Goodwood in June and when that rival disappointed at Chester three weeks ago; all of his turf starts in the last six years have been on softer than good; back up to Group 3 but with leading form claims again and a tremendous attitude. |
7/4 |
|
1 (2) |
13th Sep 2025 Good 1m 4f 63y Class 1 |
9st 8lb |
9yo who's won a hatful of Group 3s over 1m4f-1m6f in his long and distinguished career, including two Ormondes over the extended 1m5f here; also won 1m4f Listed races at the Curragh (yielding) last November and Goodwood (soft; by a neck from Military Academy at level weights) this June, which were his last two outings; all of his turf starts in the last six years have been on softer than good, so rain may be needed. |
10/11 |
5/1
- Place: £2.40
Form: 00112- D
Last run: 169 days
W: 9st 5lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 112
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 2 (8) |
7th May 2026 Good 1m 5f 84y Class 1 |
9st 5lb |
Justified favouritism in Listed grade at Musselburgh (1m6f, soft) on seasonal debut, making it five wins from his last nine starts and taking overall record to 13-36; Chester record reads 112, most recently running creditably in this race 12 months ago; again likely to give his running. |
9/1 |
|
1st 1 (5) |
4th Apr 2026 Good 1m 5f 216y Class 1 |
9st 7lb |
Front-runner who keeps pulling out more, with 12 wins; the four last season (April-October) included career-best form; unraced here; has never won first time out but he has run creditably and is the clear form pick. |
4/5 |
|
1 (5) |
18th Oct 2025 Good 1m 7f 209y Class 1 |
9st 9lb |
Front-running 6yo who keeps pulling out more, with 12 wins now to his credit, including three of his four starts at Ascot; latest was over 1m4f two weeks ago, with three 1m6f wins earlier this season; he's never been at his best over this far, admittedly with stiff tasks but it's hard to ignore that Trawlerman gave him 3lb and a comprehensive beating at York in August. |
12/1 |
40/1
- Place: £6.60
Form: /7427-
Last run: 129 days
W: 9st 2lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 105
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 7 (9) |
2nd Apr 2025 Yielding 1m 6f 0y |
9st 5lb |
towards rear, headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong |
100/30 |
|
7th 7 (9) |
2nd Apr 2025 Yielding 1m 6f 0y |
9st 5lb |
towards rear, headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong |
100/30 |
|
7th 13 |
9th Feb 2025 Soft To Heavy 1m 7f 150y |
11st 12lb |
in touch with leaders, weakened gradually from 2 out |
11/4 |
25/1
Form: 62511-
Last run: 175 days
W: 9st 2lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 108
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 4 (8) |
22nd May 2026 Soft 1m 1f 197y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Multiple winner down the years but 2025 figures suggest age may be catching up with him to some degree; hasn't won a domestic race since 2023 and it's an even longer time since he made a successful seasonal debut. |
14/1 |
|
3 (3) |
19th Oct 2025 Yielding 1m 2f 0y |
9st 7lb |
Strike rate of 11-49 reads well although hasn't won in over a year and this season has been restricted by quick ground; had his favoured soft ground but still good bit below best at Ayr last month so must be doubtful he can run to current mark and ideally wants a bit further. |
8/1 |
|
3 (1) |
20th Sep 2025 Good To Soft 1m 2f 0y Class 1 |
9st 5lb |
9yo whose form has been mixed across three starts this year; however, they've all been on good ground and his last five wins have come on good to soft and slower ground, the latest a Group 3 at Longchamp (1m2f, soft) last September; could bounce back with a big run if conditions are in his favour. |
6/1 |
10/1
Form: 31262- D
Last run: 197 days
W: 9st 2lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 109
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 3 (2) |
13th Jul 2024 Good To Soft 1m 5f 188y Class 1 |
9st 0lb |
prominent early, in touch with leaders after 1f, smooth headway and went second 6f out |
10/1 |
|
6th 6 (2) |
23rd May 2024 Good To Firm 2m 0f 50y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
disputed lead, prominent after 2f, lost ground over 3f out, weakened and eased 2f out |
5/1 |
14/1
Form: 13117- D
Last run: 121 days
W: 9st 2lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 104
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 1 |
18th Apr 2026 Good 2m 0f 145y Class 4 |
11st 10lb |
Very smart Flat horse for Andrew Balding; had wind surgery after his one blip over hurdles and then won at Musselburgh despite a slipping saddle (2m1f, good to soft); carries a penalty but looks a major player. |
5/2 |
|
1st 1 |
20th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 1f 87y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
1m6f Group 3 winner on the Flat in 2024; promising second on hurdle/stable debut at Wetherby (2m, soft) in December; took backwards step at Catterick (2m3f, good to soft) in January but has had wind surgery since and he's a key player if back on song; versatile ground-wise. |
2/1 |
|
4th 4 |
21st Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 66y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
1m6f Group 3 winner on the Flat for Andrew Balding in July 2024; promising second on last month's hurdle/stable debut at Wetherby (2m, soft) and this step up in trip may well be a positive; he's one to consider. |
5/2 |
11/8
Form: 10512- C BF
Last run: 217 days
W: 9st 2lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 114
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 3 (4) |
11th Jul 2024 Soft 1m 4f 0y Class 1 |
9st 8lb |
led overall, raced centre from 8f out, drifted right against near rail over 1f out, soon headed, no match for winner, 2nd of 3 in group |
100/30 |
|
2nd 2 (6) |
9th May 2024 Good 1m 5f 84y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
towards rear, good headway on outer from over 2f out |
15/8 |
|
2nd 2 (6) |
9th May 2024 Good 1m 5f 84y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
3yo campaign featured wins in the Chester Vase and Geoffrey Freer, plus good second in the St Leger; appeared to need his Newbury reappearance run and should be spot-on for this return to the Roodee; leading player provided there's no jar in the ground (underperformed on good to firm last year). |
15/8 |
11/1
Form: 81/2-6 C
Last run: 35 days
W: 9st 2lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 114
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 5 (7) |
10th Aug 2024 Good To Firm 1m 2f 100y Class 1 |
9st 7lb |
niggled along to lead soon after start |
12/1 |
|
11th 11 (16) |
18th Jun 2024 Good To Firm 1m 1f 212y Class 1 |
9st 5lb |
Went close in Chester Group 2 (about 1m2f, soft) on sole outing in 2023; well beaten on first two runs back but revived with first-time blinkers added to his regular tongue-tie (combination retained) when second in 1m2f Goodwood Listed race (good) 25 days ago; another step forward is needed here and he's drawn widest; Jim Crowley prefers Israr. |
16/1 |
|
2nd 4 (6) |
24th May 2024 Good 1m 1f 197y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
dwelt start, midfield, pushed along briefly after 1f, in touch with leaders 7f out, headway from 3f out, briefly led 1f out, kept on |
5/1 |
20/1
Form: 46-218 CD
Last run: 22 days
W: 9st 2lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 108
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 (6) |
26th Oct 2024 Heavy 1m 4f 0y Class 1 |
9st 6lb |
raced in second |
10/1 |
|
9th 7 (9) |
20th Apr 2024 Soft 1m 4f 0y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
prominent |
20/1 |
|
9th 7 (9) |
20th Apr 2024 Soft 1m 4f 0y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
prominent |
20/1 |
66/1
Form: 17473-
Last run: 257 days
W: 9st 2lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 105
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 9 (3) |
1st May 2026 Good 1m 6f 0y Class 4 |
8st 13lb |
Listed Flat winner for Aidan O'Brien and initially looked a good prospect for hurdling; however, has struggled badly under both codes since returning from an absence. |
33/1 |
|
7th 1 (2) |
17th Apr 2026 Good To Firm 2m 1f 24y Class 5 |
9st 9lb |
Listed Flat winner for Aidan O'Brien; made a successful hurdle debut for this yard in early 2024 but it's been a struggle since then under both codes; has dropped a long way in the weights but he's hard to trust at the moment and others are preferred. |
10/1 |
|
4th 2 |
27th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 164y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Listed Flat winner for Aidan O'Brien; made a successful hurdle debut for this yard in early 2024 but it's been a struggle since then under both codes and he's tough to trust at the minute. |
12/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £19.70 |
| Straight Forecast | £22.18 |
| Tricast | £519.03 |
| Trifecta | £366.30 |