REPUTATION might be masking reality for a couple of the leading contenders in today's totesport Dante Stakes – the highlight of the three-day meeting at York Racecourse.
The Dante, over a mile and a quarter, has become the leading trial for Derby glory at Epsom next month and although only six line up, the Group 2 contest is sure to be an exciting renewal.
With 2000 Guineas wonderhorse Frankel having defected, the Derby field is currently wide open and whoever triumphs on Knavesmire this afternoon is sure to be towards the head of the ante-post markets.
The bookmakers make it a three-way fight – with the sponsors putting Seville and World Domination the 15-8 joint favourites and Carlton House only narrowly behind at 5-2.
But do those odds truly reflect the chances?
World Domination is strong primarily because Henry Cecil's Warren Place yard is in such good form. There's no doubt his debut, a three-and-three quarter length success in a Newbury maiden, was highly impressive.
He came with hype, not just because Cecil had spoken highly of him in the preliminaries. Having shown greenness early on, he swept to the front in fine fashion and his Derby odds subsequently narrowed considerably.
He may well be the real deal and we'll find out this afternoon.
Carlton House is another to bask in the glare of publicity, not least because he boasts a Royal owner.
The Queen has never won the Derby and Carlton House, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, put a best hoof forward when smashing Yaseer (a 14-1 shot in the Dante today) by nine lengths in a Newbury maiden last October.
Not seen out since, Her Majesty is clearly keen – having been on a recent trip to Newmarket to see Stoute work the horse.
A strong galloper, he will be suited to York's track and should have no problem with the trip – being out of Talented who won at Group 2 over a mile and a quarter.
Again, however, as with World Domination, there are questions to answer.
Seville, on the other hand, comes with solid Group form in the book already. A winner at Tipperary last October after a runner-up debut, Aidan O'Brien's colt went to the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster a couple of weeks later and found only Casamento too good.
O'Brien's Ballydoyle yard is in cracking form at present and I wonder whether it is reputation which has Cecil's and Stoute's horses so close behind Seville in the market.
Seville's breeding, by Galileo – a derby winner – out of French Group 3 victor Silverskaya points to a runner who will stay the Dante and Derby trip and he could be very hard to beat.
Totesport Dante Stakes: 15-8 Seville, 15-8 World Domination, 5-2 Carlton House, 14-1 Yaseer, 40-1 Pisco Soup, 100-1 Ashva.
CAN anyone beat Midday in the totesport.com Middleton Stakes?
The multiple Group 1 winner, five times a victor at the highest level, looks to be a very worthy evens favourite.
Beaten by Sariska in this contest 12 months ago, Henry Cecil's mare went on to win the Yorkshire Oaks at York in August and also the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp.
That has added to two Nassau Stakes titles and the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf – form which makes her the outstanding member of the field.
Such success means she is giving weight away to the rest of this eight runner field, but five pounds should cause her no undue stress.
Among the other contenders, Timepiece, also trained by Cecil and a Listed race winner at Newmarket and Ascot, has faced Group company just once before – eighth to Snow Fairy in the Oaks last year, a filly whom Midday dispatched in the Yorkshire Oaks a couple of months later.
Mick Channon's Music Show won the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket last July and has performed creditably in three top class contests since – not least a fourth on her reappearance in the Bet365 Mile at Sandown last month. She steps up in trip for this.
It is by no means a walkover. But if Midday comes with her 'A' game, she should be far too good for these and will add yet another top class trophy to her trainer's cabinet as well as lighting up a fabulous second day of action on Knavesmire.
Totesport.com Middleton Stakes: Evens Midday, 7-2 Timepiece, 7-1 Music Show, 9-1 Sajjha, 12 Myplacelater, 14-1 Nouriya, 20-1 Field Day, 40-1 Brushing.
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