York Dante Meeting – Dante Preview

The York Dante Festival is well underway and today’s main attraction is the Betfred Dante Stakes which features a certain Ghurair, once touted for the Derby, but ultimately disappointing last time out.

This race is a cracking renewal of the group 2 Dante Stakes and i’m not entirely sure who to begin with if i’m being honest. The race is wide open according to the betting, so it’s probably best i start with the current favourite Indian Chief. The ballydoyle team are on fire at the moment and go to war with this lightly raced Montjeu colt. The form of his two maidens don’t scream out Dante winner, but obvious progress is expected and for a stable on fire, you couldn’t rule him out.

There are other, more proven horses in the race however. Mark Johnston potentially has a decent horse on his hands with Windheok. The form of that race is working out well, with Greatwood, Ghurair and Havana Beat behind him on his last start in the Tattersalls Millions at Newmarket.  Secret Number was backed as if defeat was out of the question in the UAE Derby at Meydan, only to be beaten by Lines Of Battle, who has since gone to the Kentucky Derby and finished well down the field.

There are a few sorts in this race who have put in poor performances but had previously showed immense potential, Trading Lather very much falls into that category. He went off as a heavily backed 2nd favourite in the Racing Post Trophy only to finish 3rd last. He hasn’t been seen since, how well he’s worked at home in Ireland, we’ll never know. Has he trained on from 2 to 3? 6-1 with Coral could be a cracking price if so.

This is a tough race to nail your colours to, several horses have very live chances on known form. Expect a video preview of the race on the site tomorrow with some informed advice from a popular racing pundit!