YORK DANTE FESTIVAL | Best Bets for the Group 2 Dante Stakes

The flat festivals are coming thick and fast for the punters, as the three-day Dante meeting kicks off at York tomorrow afternoon.

The Group 2 Dante Stakes is the feature race of the meeting, with the 1m2½f contest headling Thursday’s card at the Knavesmire.

With nine runners declared in the race, the team have revealed their best bets for the Dante Stakes.

Here are the entries they are considering backing for the Group 2 contest at York.

WIN: MAGISTERIAL (11/4 – bet365)

While there is plenty of hype for market favourite Desert Crown, his price seems slightly unjustifiable following a sole run over a mile.

That’s why MAGISTERIAL gets the nod here. The Frankel colt carries a tad bit more experience and he struck over 1m2f on his latest start at Leicester.

John and Thady Gosden’s recruit has proven to be versatile in terms of the ground type, but the quicker surface on offer at York should be right up his street.

The three-year-old is partnered back up with Frankie Dettori and he could well have more to offer on his first start in Group company.

His price of 11/4 seems a bit more value compared to the favourite and he could well have more in the locker.

EACH-WAY: ROYAL PATRONAGE (14/1 – bet365)

Bred for the middle distances, Royal Patronage could produce a bold effort in this company for Charlie & Mark Johnston.

The Wooten Bassett colt ran into eighth in the 2000 Guineas and he showed some potential on his first start of the campaign.

Royal Patronage carried some interesting two-year-old form, including a success over seven furlongs in the Acomb Stakes at York back in August.

The three-year-old did beat 2000 Guineas winner Coroebus in the Royal Lodge Stakes last season and he may well show some improvement on his last start here.

His price of 14/1 looks generous here and he could well push into the places if he produces a big run here.