HENRY Cecil intends to bring a strong team of horses to York’s curtain-raising Dante Festival.

World Domination is likely to be asked to put his Investec Derby credentials on the line in next Thursday’s Group 2 totesport Dante Stakes on the Knavesmire.

Cecil has won the extended mile and quarter race on six occasions since 1979. And he will be hoping to add to that tally when Epsom favourite World Domination competes in a contest that is widely regarded as the premier Derby trial.

The Khalid Abdullah-owned colt, who is as short as 4-1 for the Blue Riband, has only had one race to date.

But the son of Empire Maker, who is out of a past Oaks winner Reams Of Verse, couldn’t have been more impressive when scoring by three and three- quarter lengths in a Newbury maiden last month.

Cecil said: “World Domination was off for four days and missed a serious piece of work. However, if he is going to be a Derby candidate he must run in the Dante and then we will see if he is Epsom material – or, otherwise, maybe Royal Ascot.

“If he can run a really good race, win or lose, I am sure he will come on a great deal for it as he has only had one race and never ran as a two-year-old.”

Cecil also intends to be represented in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes, a £65,000 highlight of next Wednesday’s Festival-opening card.

He has won the Group 3 nine times – the last of which was 12 months ago when Aviate was triumphant. This time he is aiming Arizona Jewel at the race.