The three day York Dante meeting is one of the early season highlights on the flat, and is headlined by the race in which the meeting takes its name from, the Dante Stakes.
This year, the race takes place on Thursday May 16, and we’ve got tips and analysis of the race from our two horse racing experts on Freebets, Alan Kelly and Charlie McCann.
Both have taken a look at the Dante for us, and both have a different angle into the race, which can be read below.
York Dante Tip from Alan Kelly
Despite the sad death of Hidden Law following the colt’s impressive victory in last week’s Chester Vase, the owner/trainer combination of Godolphin and Charlie Appleby hold a strong hand regarding the possible outcome of next month’s Derby at Epsom courtesy of current joint favourite Arabian Crown and the short priced favourite for this significant trial, Ancient Wisdom.
While William Buick’s mount is clearly the one to beat, connections of Al Musmak, Cambridge, Caviar Heights and Economics will all be hoping for a performance which puts their respective charges in the Classic picture, a remark which also applies to the John & Thady Gosden-trained God’s Window.
Only two lengths behind Ancient Wisdom on heavy ground in Doncaster’s Group 1 Futurity as a juvenile, the son of Dubawi disappointed when last of four in last week’s Dee Stakes at Chester following a poor start to the race.
The fact that connections are bringing God’s Window out again just a week later suggests they have not lost faith in a horse who is currently a 66/1 chance with BetVictor for next month’s Epsom Classic.
I expect a much better effort from God’s Window on the Knavesmire, who is worth supporting in the market without the favourite.
York Dante Tip from Charlie McCann
Earlier in the spring Roger Varian suggested Al Musmak was being trained for the 2000 Guineas but he reappears in the Gp 2 Dante Stakes the Premier Derby trial over the extended ten furlongs.
He holds entries in both the Derby and King Edward VII Stakes over 12f next month as well as the Irish Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot over a mile.
I never considered him a Derby type as a juvenile, yet the classic winning trainer has been getting increasingly bullish about his return in the build up to the Dante. He holds a verdict over ANCIENT WISDOM when the pair filled the places behind Rosallion in the listed 7f Pat Eddery Stakes.
The selection improved to win the G3 Autumn Stakes and G1 Futurity Stakes last term where he had God’s Window behind.
The latter disappointed behind Capulet at Chester last week but John Gosden insisted that was not his true running and he is a fascinating contender.
No colt has won the Dante with a starting price of less than 3/1 in the last decade, but I do feel Ancient Wisdom can enhance his classic claims although the stats suggest a top price of 11/8 is skinny.
Recommendation: Ancient Wisdom at 11/8 with William Hill
York Dante Stakes Date & Time
The York Dante Stakes headlines the three day meeting in Yorkshire and will take place on Thursday, May 16.
The race is in the feature slot, and is scheduled to begin at 3:45pm.
Live coverage is available on ITV1 for those who would like to tune in.
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