Frankel sidesteps Dante but Warren Place ace still targets Knavesmire glory.

FIRST York then the World. Frankel might not be gracing Knavesmire next week, as Henry Cecil opts to take his 2000 Guineas star to Royal Ascot, but the master of Warren Place has another horse that could wow the crowds who turn out for the three-day May Festival – the start of York’s 17-day season – on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Cecil is expected to run World Domination, the Derby’s ante-post favourite, in the totesport Dante Stakes on May 12 but to live up to the hype he will have to prove his mettle against a host of top class contenders.

The Dante is the leading trial for the Derby, with the likes of North Light, Motivator and Authorized having used the Group 2 contest as a stepping stone to Classic glory at Epsom.

Bookmakers immediately promoted World Domination to the top of their markets following his racecourse debut at Newbury when he impressively won a maiden by three and three quarter lengths.

And William Derby, York’s chief executive and clerk of the course, reckons his appearance could crown a cracking week of racing to open the new Knavesmire year.

“The Dante is our premier race of the week, in terms of quality,” he said. “World Domination looks like coming from an in-form Henry Cecil yard and Carlton House could represent Her Majesty The Queen.

“Some really nice horses from Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle yard are entered and, at the moment, the top 12 horses in the Derby betting are entered in the Dante.

“With Frankel not coming, it has opened the Dante up and it looks a really interesting, high quality, field.”

The Dante forms only the peak of the three-day meeting. Wednesday’s feature race, the £100,000 Group 2 Duke of York Blue Square Stakes, should see Prime Defender look to defend his title.

Other interesting entries include Palace House second Sole Power, who was a shock 100-1 winner of the Group 1 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes last August.

The opening day also sees the Group 3 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes, will see potential Classic fillies look to lay their claims ahead of the Epsom Oaks.

Barefoot Lady, the Nell Gwyn Stakes winner at Newbury who was a highly creditable fifth in last weekend’s 1000 Guineas, will represent Malton trainer Richard Fahey and champion jockey Paul Hanagan.

The pair were leading trainer and rider at York in 2010 and Derby is excited by the way the race is shaping up.

“Richard and Paul are really flying at the moment,” he added.

“They are going at an even higher level and further up the ladder of quality horses and have really live contenders for the big races next week.

“We are thrilled by the entries for the Musidora. Some really nice fillies are coming, not just Oaks fillies, and this race usually unearths a really good prospect for the big races ahead.”

The Yorkshire Cup, the feature Group race on Friday, has added emphasis this year as the stayers’ event is the first British Champions Series race to be staged at York.

A clash of the generations as the established order take on the best of the new four-year-olds over a mile and three quarters, there are a number of champions who could take to the turf.

“Some really good stayers are lined up,” explained Derby. “Sans Frontieres and Kite Wood, who has a great record at York, are entered.

“Free Agent could be another runner for The Queen and, with Fame And Glory and Electrolyser also holding entries, all the Gold Cup and Royal Ascot horses are there.”

Lots to look forward to then and Derby says his team are very excited about a new season ahead – a year that will include the first Ebor Handicap to be held on a Saturday in August.

Derby said: “It has really stepped up a gear. The fine weather we have enjoyed has really helped us to get on and the course looks amazing.

“There have been a lot of new projects and this time of year never fails to be an exciting time. Everyone is really excited about this season.”