2023 Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes Betting Odds at Newbury racecourse

Saturday, 22 April 2023

Hurricane Lane is the odds-on favourite to win the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes and it’s hardly a surprise that the bookmakers are keeping this runner onside. There’s a school of thought that the horse could prove too strong for the rest of the field, although other punters will be looking for each-way alternatives and there are plenty available.

John Gosden has Israr entered for the race and that horse is sure to be among the favourites on race day, with Mojo Star also lining up and Richard Hannon will hope that his charge can come back after nearly a year away from the track and produce a strong performance. Max Vega has had a shorter lay-off and could run a solid race.

2023 Finest Surprise Stakes Tips

Why is Hurricane Lane trading as the big favourite to win the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes? Although the horse only managed to finish eighth last time out, we should bear in mind that the Godolphin runner was competing in esteemed company at Saint-Cloud when finishing eleven lengths behind eventual winner Alpinista.

More was expected from this runner in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud who was sent off as the odds-on favourite, although the horse was better when finishing third in the Hardwicke Stakes and perhaps he will show his class to finish ahead of the other horses in the field, although Israr certainly looks to be an interesting contender.

Israr is a four-year-old who returns to the track for the first time since running at Doncaster Racecourse, with the horse sent off as the 5/2 favourite in the November Handicap on heavy ground. Over one mile and four furlongs, jockey Jim Crowley was able to get a tune out of the runner in the early stages although the horse had to settle for a midfield finish.

Mojo Star is an interesting five-year-old and this horse finished second in the Gold Cup at the 2022 Royal Ascot meeting, with the runner beaten by half a length by Kyprios on that occasion and that was over two miles and four furlongs. Perhaps the runner will benefit from a shorter trip this time around.