Will next month’s Derby winner be seen in action on Knavesmire tomorrow?
Many believe the successful history of the Dante Stakes at producing Epsom heroes will be further enriched by the latest renewal, which sees six horses set to face the starter and three of them vying for favouritism.
One, Carlton House, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, whose Workforce finished second in last year’s Dante before going on to a scintillating Derby victory, is owned by Her Majesty the Queen.
He was an impressive winner at Newbury last October and is plainly held in high regard.
Seville, a dual winner as a juvenile and runner-up in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, represents the all-powerful Aidan O’Brien team in Ireland, which has won the last two runnings of this race with Cape Blanco and Black Bear Island. He looks sure to be a tough nut to crack under top French jockey Christophe Soumillon. My vote, though, goes to World Domination, trained by Henry Cecil and the mount of Tom Queally.
Unraced as a juvenile but with a lofty home reputation, World Domination passed his first test in maiden company at Newbury last month with flying colours.
Despite looking a little green and raw, he also looked something potentially special. How special we will find out tomorrow.
The totesport-sponsored showpiece is set fair for a magnificent clash, which promises to offer the most informative clues yet for the Derby.
Cecil and Queally are poised for a potentially lucrative afternoon.
They will also be strongly represented in the £100,000 totesport.com Middleton Stakes by Midday, winner of the Yorkshire Oaks on this course last season and a five-time Group 1 winner.
She faces strong opposition from the likes of Nouriya, Music Show, Myplacelater and stable-mate Timepiece.
Anyone who remembers this card 12 months ago will surely recall Johannes winning the opening totepool Handicap.
Paul Hanagan’s mount runs off the same mark of 95 tomorrow and ran a creditable race at Newmarket’s Guineas meeting.
Hanagan, together with Richard Fahey, can also have a say in the totesport Hambleton Handicap with Justonefortheroad, recent winner of the Thirsk Hunt Cup for the Pontoon Partnership.
Justonefortheroad faces a stiffer task here, off a 5lb higher mark, but he is an improved horse.
Shoshoni Wind, trained by Kevin Ryan and a winner at Hamilton last time out, where she made all, is napped to follow up under Philip Makin in the Irish Stallion Farms Sprint Conditions Stakes, while the fit-from-hurdling Lady Bluesky is not to be underestimated in the Investec Handicap.
Racing selections
York (today)
1.30 Bonfire Knight, 2.00 Chiswick Bey, 2.30 Barefoot Lady, 3.00 Rose Blossom, 3.35 Antigua Sunrise, 4.10 Ponty Acclaim (NAP), 4.45 Danadana.
Today’s other meetings
Kempton, Fontwell, Perth and Wincanton.
York (tomorrow)
1.30 Johannes, 2.00 Midday, 2.30 World Domination, 3.00 Justonefortheroad, 3.35 Shoshoni Wind (NAP), 4.10 Overpowered, 4.45 Lady Bluesky.
Newmarket (tomorrow)
5.45 Collect Art, 6.15 Cresta Star, 6.50 Hunza Dancer, 7.25 Lyric Street, 8.00 The Confessor, 8.30 Highland Park.
Tomorrow’s other meetings
Folkestone, Ludlow, Perth and Salisbury.
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