Derby favourite Midterm can pass Dante test
Published:
David Metcalf | May 11, 2016
Midterm to deliver in Dante
Midterm can cement his position at the head of the betting for the Investec Derby with success in the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York (15:15).
The Sir Michael Stoute trained colt won his sole start as a juvenile in impressive fashion when coming from off the pace with a storming run to land a 17-runner maiden by a length.
Midterm then took the step up into Group 3 company in his stride to make a winning return to action at Sandown last month when beating Algometer by 1 1/2 lengths.
Performance which oozed class
The beautifully bred son of Galileo, who is out of 2009 Investec Oaks runner-up and six-time Group 1 winner Midday, was held-up in fifth by jockey Ryan Moore before making smooth headway two from home.
After taking up the running at the furlong marker, Midterm stayed on strongly without being given a hard ride to assert close home and win with far more in hand than the winning margin suggests.
It was a most taking performance which oozed class, and he is currently the 11/4 favourite for the Epsom Derby with Coral on the back of it.
Midterm appears to be the real deal, and he looks to hold outstanding claims of providing Stoute with his seventh winner of the 1m 2f contest.
Gosden duo feared most
Trainer John Gosden enjoyed a one-two in the race 12 months ago with Golden Horn and Jack Hobbs, with the same two horses going on to fill the same two places in the Derby.
The Newmarket handler once again has two runners in the shape of last year’s Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes winner Foundation and recent impressive maiden winner Wings Of Desire.
Foundation, who is 16/1 for the Derby with Coral, ran very flat when runner-up in the Group 3 Craven Stakes at Newmarket on his seasonal reappearance, so will need to step up significantly on that effort to trouble Midterm.
Desire the dark horse
Wings Of Desire is not currently entered in the Derby, but it looks significant that he has been chosen by jockey Frankie Dettori over Foundation.
The colt didn’t make his racecourse debut until April 16th, yet shaped with bags of promise when third at Newmarket.
Wings Of Desire then bolted up by 4 1/2 lengths at Wolverhampton in the manner of a very exciting prospect with enormous potential.
The fact that Gosden is pitching the son of Pivotal into this speaks volumes, and he may well be the one to give Midterm most to think about.
Related
Coral’s top tip: Midterm looks a top-class prospect and rates a solid bet to land the spoils and further enhance his Derby claims. Wings Of Desire is a fascinating contender and can chase him home.
