The Group Two Betfred
Dante Stakes at York is always an informative trial for the Investec Derby, the
premier British Classic which is staged at Epsom Downs on June 1.
North Light (2004),
Motivator (2005) and Authorized (2007) all annexed the extended 10-furlong
contest en route to glory at Epsom Downs since the turn of the century, while
Workforce (2010) finished second in the Dante before going on to win the
Investec Derby in record time.
A strong field of eight
will go to post for this year's renewal of the Dante Stakes on Thursday, May
16, and Ireland's champion trainer Aidan O'Brien could add another string to
his Investec Derby bow with Leopardstown maiden scorer Indian Chief,
currently a 25/1 chance for Classic glory at Epsom Downs with Coral, official
betting partner of the Investec Derby Festival.
Ireland will also be
represented by Jim Bolger's Trading Leather (25/1 with coral), who won
two of his four starts as a juvenile including the Group Three Autumn Stakes at
Newmarket in October, while Saeed bin Suroor will be relying on Secret
Number (20/1), who forfeited his unbeaten record when a luckless third in
the Group Two UAE Derby on Tapeta at Meydan in March.
Windhoek, Greatwood
(20/1) and Ghurair, who filled the first three places in the £200,000
Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Trophy at Newmarket last month, all reoppose.
Dante (1945) was the
last Northern-trained winner of the Derby and Libertarian (100/1),
trained in Yorkshire by Elaine Burke, will be hoping to put himself in the
picture for Epsom Downs.
The son of 2008 Investec
Derby winner New Approach was a second entry for the Epsom Downs Classic in
April and made a winning debut over 10 furlongs at Pontefract on April 9. He
was subsequently fourth at Sandown Park in the Group Three bet365 Classic Trial
on April 26, when he was carried across the course and lost a substantial
amount of ground.
Karl Burke, husband and
assistant to the trainer, said: "Libertarian is in great form. He didn't
come out of the Sandown race quite as we would have liked and his participation
in the Dante was under review but in the last week he has really blossomed.
"The only positive
you could take out of the race at Sandown was that he managed to finish as
close as he did and, because of that, I think he has gone under the radar a
bit.
"I'm not saying he
would have won, but after reviewing the race so many times, I cannot see how he
wouldn't have been at least five lengths closer to them which would have put
him on the heels of the first three.
"We know he is
crying out for a mile and a half already and the Dante is probably going to be
on the sharp side for him as well but he is badly in need of experience if we
are going to go for the Investec Derby.
"The course at York
should suit him and it is also on our doorstep but whether a big raw horse like
him can go and bounce back after almost three weeks is a question mark.
"Being realistic,
if he can finish in the first four, not beaten too far and staying on, it will
be an encouraging run. There is no superstar in the race and to me, everything
looks up for grabs.
"If it wasn't for
the Derby, we would probably be going a completely different route with him but
there is only one Derby and we are keen to get him there if it is at all
possible. We will make a decision after his run on Thursday and everything is
on hold until then."
The field for the
Betfred Dante Stakes is completed by David Elsworth'sDashing Star. If any of
the three Dante Stakes runners not currently entered in the Investec Derby
(Dashing Star, Ghurair and Windhoek) were to run well on Thursday, then there
is one final chance to make the field for the Investec Derby at the £75,000
supplementary entry stage on Monday, May 27.
Telescope, trained by Sir Michael
Stoute, was expected to be among the declarations but has been ruled out with a
minor leg infection.
Over the past week,
trials for the Investec Derby have been held at Chester, Lingfield Park and
Leopardstown in Ireland, resulting in a clean sweep for horses trained by Aidan
O'Brien.
In the MBNA Chester Vase,
Ruler Of The World was an impressive six-length winner and is currently
an 8/1 chance for Investec Derby glory with Coral. Magician also caught
the eye when successful by four lengths in the BetVictor.com Dee Stakes,
although Coral were not so impressed with this performance and he is 20/1 to
capture the premier Classic on June 1.
At Lingfield Park on May
11, the Ballydoyle bandwagon continued as Nevis triumphed in the Listed
Betfred Derby Trial, scoring by nine lengths although his task was made simpler
with the late withdrawal of favourite Greatwood. He is 25/1 with Coral for the
Investec Derby.
Two of O'Brien's three
Investec Derby winners (Galileo in 2001 and High Chaparral in 2002) warmed up
for Epsom Downs by landing the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown.
This year O'Brien sent out Battle Of Marengo to success in the Group Two
contest, with the Galileo colt scoring comfortably by a length and three
quarters from the previously undefeated Loch Garman. Battle Of Marengo is 9/2
second favourite with Coral for the Investec Derby.
Some late Investec Derby
clues could be provided in the Listed coral.co.uk Fairway Stakes at Newmarket
on Saturday, where four of the 10 entries are also engaged in the Investec
Derby - Greatwood, Hillstar, Jammy Guest and Tha'ir.
Goodwood stages the
Listed CASCO EBF Cocked Hat Stakes on Friday, May 24. Rewilding won the
Goodwood contest in 2010 prior to taking third in the Investec Derby.
The Investec Oaks
picture also became clearer over the last week with Secret Gesture,
trained by Ralph Beckett, being installed as 3/1 favourite for the fillies'
Classic with Coral after a facile 10-length demolition of her rivals in the
Listed Betfred 'The Bonus King' Oaks Trial at Lingfield on May 11.
Hughie Morrison's Banoffee
is likely to be supplemented for the Investec Oaks after an impressive success
in the Listed Weatherbys Bank Cheshire Oaks on May 8. The daughter of Hurricane
Run is a 12/1 chance with Coral.
Liber Nauticus, 5/1 third favourite
for the Investec Oaks, and Woodland Aria (16/1)will put their unbeaten
records on the line in the Group Three Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York
tomorrow. Sariska was the last filly to complete the Musidora-Oaks double in
2009.
The next scratchings
deadline for the Investec Derby and the Investec Oaks is at noon this Friday,
May 17.
Latest odds for the
Investec Derby from Coral: 5/4 Dawn Approach, 9/2 Battle Of Marengo, 8/1 Ocovango, Ruler Of
The World, Telescope, 10/1 Mars, 16/1 Windhoek, 20/1 Chopin, Greatwood, Loch
Garman, Magician, Secret Number, Van Der Neer, Zand, 25/1 Bravodino, Foundry,
Improvisation, Indian Chief, Leading Light, Nevis, Pedro The Great, Steeler,
Tarikhi, Trading Leather, 33/1 Achtung, Eye Of The Storm, Festive Cheer, Flying
The Flag, Galileo Rock, Genius Boy, Lake Michigan, Lake Nova, Leitir Mor, Lord
Provost, Manndawi, Mighty Yar, Mutashaded, Parker Ridge, Qahir, Royal Flag,
Saskatchewan, The Vatican, Vayakhan, Victory Song, 40 Bar
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