Group Three Surprise Stakes Newbury Guide 2023

More experienced that some in this race, Max Vega had an indifferent 2022, winning here twice (including this contest) but not threatening the leaders elsewhere at the likes of York and Goodwood. 22/1 shot in the Group Three St Simon Stakes here in October over 1m 4f, staying on well to beat 8/11fav Hamish by a head.

Talented on his day and has gone well fresh before, winning this contest last year so he must be respected. Rossa Ryan does the steering.

Richard Hannon’s Mojo Star makes his fourth appearance at Newbury, with his course form reading 221 before heading to the Surprise Stakes. Runner-up in the Epsom Deby back in 2021 and most recently second in the Group One Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, a half-length behind leading stayer Kyprios and ahead of the legendary Stradivarius in third.

Steps back down in trip about a mile here and can go well again on his reappearance (off 310 days). Would be surprising if Mojo Star didn’t go close.

Ralph Beckett sends two for the Surprise Stakes in the form of last year’s winner Max Vega and Lone Eagle. The 110-rated Lone Eagle had a fairly tough 2022, racing three times at Goodwood (third in Tapster Stakes), Saint-Cloud (fifth in Group One) and seventh in St Simon Stakes here in October.

This is a tough test on his reappearance after 182 days off but has the ability so shouldn’t be dismissed here.

Philip Kirby sends one for the Surprise Stakes in the form of five-year-old Farhan, who had an inconsistent year last term, winning York class two but finishing outside of the top three on every other occasion, including Group Three race at Ascot in October (eighth of nine).

Would be a surprising winner at around 100/1 and probably one to dismiss.

Charlie Appleby sends five-year-old Hurricane Lane to the Surprise Stakes on the back of an eighth-place finish in the Group One Grand Prix Saint-Cloud Stakes over 1m 3f in July last year. The horse had been in top form before that run, winning five times in 2021 and third of seven at Royal Ascot in Group Two Hardwicke Stakes, behind Mostahdaf and Broome on his two runs in 2022 including that Saint-Cloud outing.

Leading contender in this race if producing best form after 293 days off the track. William Buick is booked to ride.

Kevin Phillipart De Foy sends four-year-old Surrey Mist to the Surprise Stakes here at Newbury after 35 days off following fourt-place finish in Group Three Exbury Stakes over 1m 1f at Saint-Cloud last month. Makes his first step into grouped company in the UK after winning four times at lower levels in 2022.

Arrives here off 104, the same mark he went off at Saint-Cloud last month but would be one of the more unlikely winners here against some top runners on their seasonal reappearances.

John & Thady Gosden’s sole runner in the Surprise Stakes is four-year-old Israr, who makes his seasonal reappearance on the back of a good 2022, winning twice and placing in the top three on a number of occasions. The colt finished last year off a mark of 106, finishing 12th in 21-runner Doncaster handicap and he makes his first step into grouped company here.

Jim Crowley is booked to ride Israr here in the hope of bouncing back from that Doncaster outing after 168 days off the track.

Four-year-old Grand Alliance makes his second appearance here after finishing third in the St Simon Stakes here in October, behind Hamish and fellow runner Max Vega. Otherwise had an inconsistent 2022, finishing runner-up on a couple of occasions in good races but also not troubling the leaders at times too.

Has the ability to run good races so might be worth a small each-way bet around 33’s but would be surprised if he was to win his first race for a year.