Races
YORK DANTE FESTIVAL PREVIEW | The Group 2 Dante Stakes
Several Derby hopefuls line up in the Dante Stakes at York on Thursday
The festival headliner gets underway on Thursday afternoon, as eleven runners will head to the starting post for the Dante Stakes at York.
The Group 2 contest is scheduled at 3.10 on the seven-race card, with the Middleton Fillies Stakes getting underway an hour earlier at 2.10 while the Listed Westow Stakes follow shortly after at 3.40.
Derby favourite HIGH DEFINITION (9/4) is considered to one to beat here after his impressive two-year-old campaign.
The son of Galileo caught the eye when coming from last at the two-furlong marker to land victory in a maiden at the Curragh last August.
The colt followed that up with an impressive turn of foot in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes a month later, reeling in Monaasib late on to win by three-quarters of a length.
He is joined by stablemate ROMAN EMPIRE (40/1) whose sole success came over a mile in tougher conditions back in October.
GEAR UP (9/2) spearheads the British chances of success and is the only runner in the field with a Group 1 success on his CV.
The son of Teofilo responded gamely to James Doyle’s requests in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud, keeping on strongly to win by a short neck and land an upset victory at odds of 27/1.
He clearly has a strong level of staying ability and the three-year-old could prove his Derby credentials with victory on the Knavesmire.
ROYAL CHAMPION (6/1) was slightly disappointing in the Listed Feilden Stakes, but he may have needed the run and Roger Varian’s colt could show further improvement at York over the longer distance.
HURRICANE LANE (6/1) makes the step-up to Group company after claiming success on his first two starts, while ALENQUER (8/1) will be hoping to follow up his Classic Trial victory with another big performance here.
UNCLE BRYN (12/1) performed below expectation in the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom last month and will be hoping to give a better account of himself here for John & Thady Gosden.
He is joined by stablemate MEGALLAN (8/1), who justified favouritism in the Listed Burradon Stakes on the all-weather at Newcastle last month.
Jim Bolger’s FLYING VISIT (12/1), David Menuisier’s BELLOCCIO (40/1) and Richard Fahey’s PYTHAGORAS (40/1) complete the field for the Group 2 contest at York.
SELECTIONS:
– Gear Up @ 9/2
– Royal Champion @ 6/1
