Dante Stakes tips and runner-by-runner guide to York 3.35 on Thursday

A proper Derby trial this.

Flying Honours wins the Zetland Stakes

By / Horse Racing Tips / 11 months ago

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

Derby clues will be offered up when a fabulous field of 12 tackle the Dante Stakes at York on Thursday.

Sir Michael Stoute landed last year’s Group 2 with Desert Crown before going on to score in the Epsom Classic and the Newmarket handler is represented by Passenger, who was an impressive winner on debut last month.

Flying Honours carries the Godolphin blue as last season’s Zetland scorer makes his seasonal reappearance, Feilden hero Canberra Legend bids to continue his unbeaten record, while Frankie Dettori rides Blue Riband Trial winner Epictetus.

The red-hot field for the 15:35 also includes Ballydoyle representative Continuous, Craven second The Foxes and surprise Ballysax first White Birch.

Dancing Magic, Dear My Friend, Killybegs Warrior, King Of Steel and Liberty Lane complete the line up.

The latest Dante Stakes odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.

Dante Stakes tips

Timeform: This looks a wide-open renewal but EPICTETUS appeals as the most solid option. He had the best form at 2 yrs and confirmed his well-being when making a winning return in a listed event at Epsom. The Foxes also boasts strong 2-y-o form and he shaped very well when runner-up in the Craven at Newmarket, while stamina isn’t a concern for Flying Honours, who promises to make a better 3-y-o.

Dante Stakes runners

Canberra Legend

Trainer: James Ferguson Jockey: Daniel Muscutt Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 7

350,000 gns Australia colt who justified market confidence with a comfortable debut win at Newcastle in February. Took the jump up in class in his stride when following up in Feilden Stakes at Newmarket last month. Rates an exciting prospect and has a similar profile to 2015 winner Golden Horn.

****

Continuous

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 3

Looked potentially smart when winning both 2-y-o starts, namely maiden at the Curragh and Group 3 (1m) at Saint-Cloud. Sure to progress again and win more races but isn’t entered for the Derby.

***

Dancing Magic

Trainer: Roger Teal Jockey: Kieran Shoemark Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 11

Still a maiden but has been highly tried, good 3 lengths third of 7 in Craven Stakes at Newmarket on return. Up against it again.

**

Dear My Friend

Trainer: Charlie Johnston Jockey: Andrea Atzeni Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 8

Pivotal colt who won novices at Carlisle (6f) and Beverley (7.4f) first 2 starts. Has continued his progress, 4¼ lengths third to Flying Honours in Zetland Stakes at Newmarket final 2-y-o start before making winning return in listed race at Newcastle on return. More needed again.

**

Epictetus

Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Jockey: Frankie Dettori Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 5

Very good at 2, winning at Newmarket (Flying Honours 4½ lengths behind) on debut before runner-up in Group 2 Autumn Stakes there (Rowley Mile) and Group 1 Futurity at Doncaster. Landed the odds with a bit in hand in Blue Riband Trial at Epsom over this trip on return and high on the shortlist.

*****

Flying Honours

Trainer: Charlie Appleby Jockey: William Buick Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 10

Made up into a useful juvenile, following up his close third in Royal Lodge (unsuited by slow pace) at Newmarket with win number 3 in Zetland Stakes there (10f) in October. This son of Sea The Stars appeals as the type to progress further at 3 yrs so he’s well in the mix.

****

Killybegs Warrior

Trainer: Charlie Johnston Jockey: Franny Norton Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 12

Dual winner over 7f on the July Course at Newmarket last summer. Better form in defeat this year, good 1¼ lengths third of 9 to Canberra Legend in listed contest at Newmarket (9f, good to soft) 29 days ago, albeit having run of race. No reason why he should beat the winner here.

*

King Of Steel

Trainer: Roger Varian Jockey: Kevin Stott Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 9

Fast-tracked to Group 1 level after an impressive debut success at Nottingham (8.3f, soft) but could manage only seventh in Futurity Trophy at Doncaster. Remains with potential but highly tried again on return for new yard.

**

Liberty Lane

Trainer: K. R. Burke Jockey: Clifford Lee Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 4

Impressive debut winner at Nottingham (8.3f, heavy) sole 2-y-o start, forging clear. Good second under a penalty to the now-smart Waipiro at Newmarket on return. May do better again but this looks a tough ask.

**

Passenger

Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute Jockey: Richard Kingscote Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 1

Ulysses colt who overcame inexperience to make a winning debut in maiden (Wood Ditton) at Newmarket (8f, good to soft, 11/1) 4 weeks ago, produced to lead final 1f and going clear. A scopey sort who surely has more to offer. Trainer has won this a record 7 times.

****

The Foxes

Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Oisin Murphy Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 2

Progressive Churchill colt who followed up Goodwood maiden win in a slowly run but strong renewal of the Royal Lodge at Newmarket final start at 2yrs. Solid return when runner-up in the Craven there and should have more to offer over this longer trip. Must be considered.

****

White Birch

Trainer: John Joseph Murphy Jockey: Shane Foley Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 6

Confirmed debut promise to run out a ready winner of 13-runner maiden at Dundalk (7f, 7/2) in November and took another big step forward when following up in 6-runner Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown (10f, heavy) on return. Ground won’t be as testing here but still warrants plenty of respect.

***

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