‘The Dante and Derby is the plan’ – King Power bullish about 33-1 Epsom hope 🦊

The Dante Stakes takes place at York on Thursday and King Power Racing are set to run their highly-regarded colt in the Group 2 event. Connections only have one eye on Thursday’s race, as the other is firmly fixed on next month’s Derby at Epsom. Their racing manager has been very vocal about how much the team is looking forward to the horse in question. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

‘We were delighted with his run’

The Foxes finished second in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket on seasonal debut and connections are looking forward to going up in trip with him. Racing manager Alastair Donald confirmed the plan is to go to the Dante on Thursday. He said: “As long as the ground doesn’t go soft he’ll run in the Dante. I’d hope we get lovely, good ground, and we’re looking forward to seeing him step up in trip.”

“We were delighted with his run in the Craven,” said Donald. “He’d have needed the run. He probably got a little tired and lonely having hit the front a long way out. That was always a race to bring him on, with the Dante and Derby the main plan.”

‘He’s always been held in high regard’

Confidence is obviously very high and races like the Dante are hard enough to win. Going into the Derby with a big chance is an even bigger task. Donald added: “Andrew Balding loved The Foxes last year and thought he was his best chance going into Royal Ascot in the Chesham, but I think it was all a bit early in his career. He’s always been held in high regard and he looks the part as well.”

When asked what he thought about the colt’s general 20-1 price for the Derby, he said: “We’ll find out on Thursday. If he wins there it will be a great price! King Power has invested big time in racing over the last few years and getting to these types of races is what it’s all about.” One firm are even offering 33-1 for Flat racing’s most iconic race.

Dante Stakes (Thursday)

Epsom Derby (3rd June)

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