Christophe Soumillon out to make rare British trip pay on this 'cracking horse'

Saturday: 1.50 Newbury
Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes (Registered As The John Porter Stakes) (Group 3) | 1m4f | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

A pace query muddies the waters of the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes and must be a concern for connections of the several hold-up performers in the field who stay further than this 1m4f trip.

Max Vega, Raymond Tusk, Red Verdon and Stowell often mount challenges from off the speed and each has produced his best runs over longer distances.

The fact Ilaraab and Invite also like to pounce means that tactically, this could be an open goal for Christophe Soumillon to pinch an easy lead on Thunderous.

Soumillon rides a Mark Johnston-trained runner for only the fourth time in his stellar career and Thunderous attempted to make all from Al Aasy when second in the Al Rayyan Stakes at this track two starts back.

We haven’t seen this fragile type since he ran an excellent fourth at odds of 40-1 in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. Subsequent events give credence to the theory that this was the strongest Group 2 of the entire season.

Wonderful Tonight won a Group 2 on her next outing, Hukum has won four races since (including a Group 2), Broome won a Group 1 on his next start, Albaflora went close to winning a Group 1 on Champions Day, Japan won a Group 3 next time, Sir Ron Priestley won a Group 2 next time, and the reopposing Ilaraab won a Group 3 later in the campaign.

The worry is Thunderous was poor on his comeback in 2021 but the fact this free-goer has been gelded since his last start means he should settle better.

If he can put it all together at a course he likes, he is undoubtedly the one to beat with improvement likely after just nine starts in a stop-start career.

Ilaraab is the only course-and-distance winner in the field but the ground will be much quicker than when he denied old rival Max Vega in the St Simon Stakes last October.

Four-year-olds Stowell and Invite are bright prospects but the suspicion is the race may pan out more preferably for Invite.

The Andrew Balding-trained filly showed a devilish turn of foot to pick up a Listed race at Chester two starts back, although she was unable to advertise that in the Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot next time.

The drop in class is in her favour and she might possess a change of gear a few others in this contest don’t have.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

'Thunderous should be very competitive'

When Christophe Soumillon is keen to take the ride on a horse he has never partnered before, it’s time for punters to sit up and take note.

The Belgian maestro travels to Britain for a trio of Group 3 rides at Newbury, including Thunderous.

Harry Herbert, chairman and managing director of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, who own the five-year-old, said: “He’s coming off another injury layoff, but seems in good form.

“He’s a very high-class horse on his day, and Charlie and Mark Johnston are very happy with him.

“He’ll definitely take a big step forward from the John Porter, but it’s the right race for him.”

Thunderous, a Listed-race winner at Newbury during an unbeaten juvenile campaign, went on to land the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York the following summer.

However, he suffered a setback afterwards and was ruled out for the rest of the year before reappearing at Sandown last spring.

“He’s a cracking horse,” Herbert said, “and Christophe Soumillon was very keen to ride him at Newbury. Let’s just hope Thunderous finally enjoys an uninterrupted campaign this year.”

Highclere Thoroughbreds have a real affinity with the John Porter, having won it with the brilliant Harbinger 12 years ago.

The mighty son of Dansili subsequently stormed home by 11 lengths from Cape Blanco in the Group 1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes under Olivier Peslier.

Herbert added: “Thunderous obviously isn’t in the same class as Harbinger, but this doesn’t seem the best of renewals of the John Porter, and he should be very competitive.”

The bookmakers agree, generally quoting Thunderous as 7-2 second-favourite behind 3-1 market leader Ilaraab.

What they say

William Haggas, trainer of Ilaraab
He has a penalty to carry but he's very well, although the ground will be lively enough for him. He's been in good shape in his work and I expect him to run a good race.

Alan King, trainer of Raymond Tusk
He was winning for the first time in two years at Doncaster, and he enjoyed being back on the Flat after being a bit disappointing over hurdles.

John Gosden, joint-trainer of Stowell
He's been off for quite a while and he's entitled to come on for the run. This looks a good starting point to his season.
Reporting by Richard Birch

Saturday's race previews:

2.25 Newbury: Charlie Appleby: 'we're using this as a springboard to the French 1,000 Guineas'

3.00 Newbury: 'He's the one they have to beat' - find out who is confident for the Greenham

3.00 Newbury: 'There seems to be lots of would-be sprinters' - Keith Melrose on Greenham trend (Members’ Club)

3.14 Musselburgh: Can Emmet Mullins do it again? Grand National hero takes aim at Flat prize

3.25 Cork: Can consistent Thunder Kiss continue red-hot Ger Lyons form in Listed prize?

3.35 Newbury: Which Spring Cup runner 'clearly has some unfinished business'?

4.50 Fairyhouse: Paul Townend puts faith in Farout as Willie Mullins fields seven in feature race

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