Racecards
14:05 Newbury
Dubai Tennis Championships John Porter Stakes (Group 3)
- 13 Runners
- Distance: 1m 4f 5y
- Going: Soft (Good to soft in straight)
- Surface: Turf
- Form 917339-
- Age 6
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey R Hills
towards rear, ridden 4f out, some headway until weakened final furlong
- Form 4/2214-8
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey Willie Supple
in touch, ridden and led approaching 4f out, headed over 1f out, shaken up and not run on
- Form 7/37651-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer J M P Eustace
- Jockey M Dwyer
led and soon clear, hung right and virtually ran off course over 4f out, soon headed and not recover
- Form 120531-
- Age 10
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer H Morrison
- Jockey M Fenton
tracked leader, left in lead over 4f out, headed soon after, weakened final furlong
- Form 11021/7-
- Age 7
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 114
in touch, lost place 5f out, dropped rear and virtually pulled up
- Form 223442
- Age 8
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 104
- Trainer G A Butler
- Jockey J P Spencer
towards rear, ridden and some effort 5f out, weakened 2f out
- Form 482248-
- Age 5
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer B W Hills
- Jockey Michael Hills
mid-division, effort and headway from over 3f out, every chance 1f out, no extra
- Form 41211/
- Age 5
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey K Darley
slowly into stride, keen towards rear, ridden over 4f out, no impression
- Form 1144-1
- Age 4
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 113
- Trainer J & T Gosden
- Jockey Richard Hughes
in touch, closer order 6f out, ridden and switched right over 1f out, led soon after, kept on gamely
- Form 11972-2
- Age 4
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 103
- Trainer M G Quinlan
- Jockey R L Moore
held up towards rear, headway 5f out, switched right approaching 2f out, stayed on well
- Form 216-668
- Age 4
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer C E Brittain
- Jockey E Ahern
always in rear
- Form 76-8773
- Age 4
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 102
slowly into stride, ridden 3f out, some moderate headway
- Form 61/3199-
- Age 4
- Weight 8-8
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer J L Dunlop
- Jockey S Sanders
mid-division and keen, chased leaders from halfway, one pace when hampered over 1f out, no further impression
Verdict
A cracking start to Saturday's action that can go to last year's winner, Dubai Success , who edges preference over Bandari, who will find this tough under his 5lb group race penalty, while Day Flight faces a stiffer test than for his reappearance but has race fitness on his side today. Maraahel and Frank Sonata are also respected and can represent good value for each-way backers if the prices permit. The former has recently returned from a short stint overseas - where he finished down the field in the Sheema Classic at Nad Al Sheba. He needs to prove his well being after those exertions and could be a risky proposition for win only purposes. Day Flight could do no more than win at Lingfield and shapes as if he can enjoy a good campaign. However, that form has already taken a couple of knocks and he has a bit to prove in this company. Bandari is a tough and consistent performer that should again give his all. However, he faces no easy task on these terms and will need to be at the absolute top of the game. Especially when his form with Dubai Success is taken into account. This course brought the best out of the Barry Hills-trained entire last April and he was unlucky not to have added to his tally with some convincing subsequent efforts. The son of Sadler's Wells acts well with a little give underfoot and can make the short journey from his Lambourn yard to Newbury another profitable excursion for his connections.
Formwatch
Bandari (IRE) 10-3 Tracked winner until weakened quickly over 2f out, last of 9, 15l behind Shirocco at San Siro 1m 4f Grp 1 sft in Oct.
Maraahel (IRE) 10-1 In touch; 3rd & ridden straight; effort 400m out; weakened final 200m, 8th of 11, 6l behind Phoenix Reach at Nad Al Sheba 1m 4f Grp 1 gf in Mar.
Orcadian 33-1 Raced wide, made all, ridden clear final 2f, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (A1) sft in Oct beating Frank Sonata by 15l, 8 ran.
Alcazar (IRE) 11-8fav Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 9f out, led 3f out, shaken up over 1f out, soon clear, won at Musselburgh 2m lst stk (A1) gs in Nov beating Winged d'Argent by 5l, 6 ran.
Asian Heights 10-3 Chased winner to halfway, weakened rapidly and virtually pulled up final 3f, 7th of 8, well behind Orcadian at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (A1) sft in Oct.
Compton Bolter (IRE) 10-3 Led, headed 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, held, 2nd of 6, nk behind Counsel's Opinion at Doncaster 1m 4f stk gd.
Dubai Success 6-1 In touch until weakened quickly over 1f out, 8th of 9, 12l behind Shirocco at San Siro 1m 4f Grp 1 sft in Oct.
Osorio (GER) 7-2 Led halfway, battled on when challenged final furlong, won at Capannelle 1m 4f Grp 1 gf in May '03 beating Private Charter by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Day Flight 4-6fav Led until 7f out, tracked leader, led 1f out, shaken up to go clear inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Kempton 1m 2f lst stk gd in Mar beating Blythe Knight by 3l, 4 ran.
Frank Sonata 10-3 Held up, headway over 4f out, led 3f out, soon ridden, headed and not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Winged d'Argent at Nottingham 1m 6f lst stk sft.
Mazuna (IRE) 14-1 Towards rear; 9th & ridden straight; stayed on final 400m; not reach leaders, 8th of 10, 11l behind Razkalla at Nad Al Sheba 1m 4f hcp gf in Mar.
Red Lancer 12-1 Tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 4, 4l behind Day Flight at Kempton 1m 2f lst stk gd in Mar.
Rave Reviews (IRE) In touch to over 1f out, soon beaten, 9th of 12, 15l behind Lune D'or at Deauville 1m 4f fll stk Grp 2 gs in Aug.
Albinus 14-1 Tracked leader, led briefly and hung badly right from 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 4l behind Sights On Gold at Newbury 1m 3f Grp 3 (A1) gf in Sept.