Varian can't wait to get Defoe back on winning trail after Leger flop

Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes (Registered As The John Porter Stakes) | Group 3 | 1m4f | 4yo+ | ITV/RUK

Defoe, one of last year's most progressive three-year-olds, bids to get back to winning ways after a below-par performance in the St Leger ended a four-race winning run.

Trainer Roger Varian is looking forward to getting the son of Dalakhani back on a course where he enjoyed his finest moment last season in the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer.

The trainer said: “Defoe has enjoyed a good winter and has strengthened up again from three to four. We've had a trouble-free preparation and while he'll naturally improve for the run he's ready to do himself justice.

Defoe winning at Newbury in AugustCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"He won the Geoffrey Freer at the course in August and ground with some ease in it is ideal. That success looks to set the standard and I can’t wait to get him back on the track.”

Defoe is bidding to follow the lead of last year's winner Muntahaa, who had ended his three-year-old campaign when fourth in the St Leger.

What About Carlo, who has won three times at the track, bids to become the first seven-year-old to win this Group 3 since northern raider Linpac West for Bill Elsey in 1993.

Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton said: "He's had a good winter and we're very happy with him at home. He loves Newbury and that's one of the key reasons we're starting him off in this event.

"He'd prefer soft ground but with the current weather he probably isn't going to get that. Even so, we're hopeful he can run well.

"His preferred trip is probably one mile and two furlongs but we need to start him somewhere and this race over a mile and a half at a track he adores makes sense."

The Queen and Sir Michael Stoute won this race two years ago with Dartmouth but are in opposition this time, with the Queen's colours adorning the William Haggas-trained Call To Mind, a Listed winner at Goodwood last August.

Stoute is looking for an eighth win in this historic race and has Ryan Moore, who has been aboard his last three winners, on his side aboard Autocratic.

Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore team up with Autocratic (red)Credit: Edward Whitaker

Danehill Kodiac, last seen running in the Hong Kong Vase, represents in-form trainer Richard Hannon but has to defy a penalty for his Cumberland Lodge win at Ascot last October.

Hannon said: "He's a very brave horse and very tough. He's got a penalty, which will make it hard, but he's in good form and will run well."

Read exclusive previews of Newbury and Ayr from 6pm tonight on racingpost.com