Dante Tips at York – CopyBet
Dante Tips at York – CopyBet
The Dante at York is Britain's most valuable Epsom Derby trial and the feature contest as racing returns for a new season on the famous Knavesmire turf this week.
The Group 2 contest has been won by 11 horses that went on to land the Derby at Epsom, most recently Desert Crown in 2022.
This year's York race has attracted a strong field of 11 contenders, including the exciting and unbeaten Aidan O'Brien-trained colt The Lion In Winter.
Aidan O'Brien has a track record of avoiding this particular race with his leading Derby contenders.
The Ballydoyle supremo last won the Dante in 2010 and none of his four previous winners of this race have made an impact on the first Saturday of June, with only two of them even lining up in the Epsom Classic.
That could be a negative in some quarters for THE LION IN WINTER, as could be the fact that he had a minor setback ahead of a planned run in the Guineas at Newmarket.
It was reported to be very much that, minor, and the trainer immediately set his target for York, presumably as he had mapped out trials for the likes of Delacroix, Puppet Master, Mount Kilimanjaro and Lambourn at the likes of Leopardstown, Lingfield and Chester – with all four emerging victorious.
That allied to the fact The Lion In Winter was so impressive here last season in his record-breaking Acomb Stakes success would have helped sway him to York.
This Sea The Stars colt has bags of potential and is very highly thought of. He's not run since August but O'Brien has been bitten by not having a Classic colt ready for a comeback in spectacular fashion over recent seasons.
And, while the trainer says he is 'going to improve a ton from whatever he does' at York, it's reasonable to believe he will do himself justice. He's the one they all should be fearing.
The favourite is strong and Wimbledon Hawkeye (third in the Acomb here last season) joins improving Godolphin inmate Alpine Trail in headlining the opposition.
Wimbledon Hawkeye was fifth in the Guineas at Newmarket after finishing second in the Craven last month. He needs more to gain revenge on his old York foe.
Alpine Trail remains unbeaten and is progressing for Charlie Appleby. He landed the Listed Newmarket Stakes over 1m2f at the Guineas Festival in good style and isn't underestimated but he's second in the betting now.
One that might be getting overlooked is TUSCAN HILLS for Amo Racing and trainer Raphael Freire.
The Night Of Thunder colt won both starts last season, a Thirsk novice over a mile under a patient ride and then a Listed Pontefract over the same trip in strong fashion. That form isn't especially strong but he was much the best on the day.
On pedigree, this extra two furlongs could be optimal for David Egan's partner and if he improves again, he could find the frame.
He won on good-to-firm and soft ground last season and he holds plenty of Group 1 entries over the next six weeks if he shows he has wintered well.
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Enda McElhinney is an experienced sports writer with an in-depth knowledge on horse racing in Britain and Ireland, while he also covers football and snooker extensively.