Ancient Wisdom will bid to enhance his Epsom Derby credentials when facing six rivals in the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York.
The Godolphin-owned horse is one of the antepost market principals for next month’s Classic and brings the best form to the table for Thursday’s 15:45 after landing the Group 1 Futurity Trophy at the end of last season.
The Dante Stakes is one of the most important Classic trials as 11 winners have subsequently landed the Derby including Desert Crown in 2022, while Hurricane Lane scooped the Irish equivalent and St Leger in 2021.
Al Musmak is the only other runner that is set to make their seasonal reappearance and could be the principal rival to Ancient Wisdom thanks to his strong juvenile campaign that included a second place in the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket.
Aidan O’Brien sends Cambridge across the Irish Sea in search for a first winner in the race since 2010, God’s Window is back in action a week after failing to land a blow in the Dee Stakes, while Economics and War Rooms complete the field.
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 verdict
Timeform: Last year’s Futurity winner ANCIENT WISDOM can take his career record to 5-6 and strengthen the Godolphin Derby hand. Caviar Heights was impressive when stepped up to 1¼m at the recent Newmarket Guineas meeting and can give the selection most to do ahead of Royal Lodge runner-up Al Musmak.
*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
Dante Stakes runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Dante Stakes 2024.
Al Musmak
Trainer: Roger Varian Jockey: James Doyle Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 3
Chased home Rosallion in 7f Ascot listed race last July before going one better in similar company at Haydock (1m, good to firm) in September. Advanced his form again when 1¼ lengths second to Ghostwriter in Royal Lodge at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) on final 2-y-o start. Likely to stay 1¼m.
***
Ancient Wisdom
Trainer: Charlie Appleby Jockey: William Buick Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 5
€2,000,000 yearling who was an excellent 4-5 in his juvenile season, most impressive when easily landing a 1m Newmarket Group 3 in October before ending his campaign with Group 1 glory in the Futurity at Doncaster (1m, heavy). Will be suited by 1¼m. Hard to beat.
*****
Cambridge
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 7
Dubawi colt who won a 1m Salisbury maiden before finishing second in a Group 2 at Leopardstown (9f, heavy) on his final 2-y-o outing. Found 1m too sharp for him when 6½ lengths fourth Haatem in Craven at Newmarket on reappearance and this test should see him in a better light.
***
Caviar Heights
Trainer: K. R. Burke Jockey: Clifford Lee Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 4
Built on his promising reappearance/stable debut in the 9f Feilden at Newmarket when a ready 4-length winner of a 1¼m listed race back there at the Guineas meeting. Should go well.
****
Economics
Trainer: William Haggas Jockey: Tom Marquand Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 6
Night of Thunder colt who was a promising fourth in a warm Newmarket novice on his sole 2-y-o start and built on that when winning a big-field Newbury maiden (1m, good) on his reappearance. This a big step up in grade but there could be plenty more to come.
***
God’s Window
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Jockey: Kieran Shoemark Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 1
Beaten just under 2 lengths into third by Ancient Wisdom in the Futurity at Doncaster (1m, heavy) last autumn. Facile winner in novice company on 1m Nottingham return but never out of last after losing many lengths at the start in Dee at Chester last week. Given a quick chance to atone.
***
War Rooms
Trainer: Owen Burrows Jockey: Jim Crowley Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 2
Useful form in his 3 starts, winning a maiden and third in a listed race at 2 (both 7f Doncaster). Limitations seemingly exposed when beaten 7¾ lengths into sixth by Arabian Crown in Sandown Classic Trial (1¼m, good to soft) on reappearance 6 weeks ago.
**
Thursday’s Horse Racing Tips
- Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing tips at York & Salisbury
- Mick Fitzgerald’s ITV Racing tips for York & Salisbury
- Jason Weaver’s ITV Racing tips at York
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