Racing returns to the Knavesmire with the York Dante meeting which will be the first fixture held at York racecourse since the lockdown. The meeting is one of York’s premier race days staged in May, but has been rescheduled for July 9th this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Usually a three-day festival, the Dante meeting has been condensed into a single fixture including both the Group 3 Musidora and the feature Group 2 Dante Stakes.
The Dante Stakes is a middle-distance Group 3 open to three-year-old colts and commonly used as a stepping stone to the Epsom Derby. The race has been hotly contested in recent years, with winners include Roaring Lion who went on to win 4 Group 1s, and Derby winner Golden Horn who also won 4 Group 1s in total. This year the race is staged just five days after the Derby, but has attracted a select field of promising contenders who may live up to the high standards we expect from a Dante winner.
You can find everything you need to know about the Dante Stakes below, from the thoughts and analysis of our experts, valuable stats and trends, free bets and our Dante tip.
Highest Ground
Unexposed colt by Frankel who was impressive in beating the highly-rated Waldkonig comfortably last month. Unbeaten in two runs and with stamina assured, he rates a likely improver but he hasn’t been missed in the market and looks short enough at odds-on.
Cormorant
Represents the Irish for Aidan O’Brien and holds strong claims having beaten subsequent Royal Ascot winner, Russian Emperor, when last seen in June. He should come on for that effort and rates a top player.
Encipher
Looked in need of the run at Newbury last month, when well supported. Stayed on strongly to finish a neck behind Al Madhar and could come on for that outing. Represents top connections and trainer John Gosden has won three of the last five runnings of the race.
Juan Elcano
Strong form in defeat as a two-year-old before a career-best performance on reappearance in the 2000 Guineas, finishing 5th. Looked well held over this distance at Royal Ascot and possibly something to find with some of today’s rivals.
Thunderous
Runner-up on seasonal debut when upped to 1m2f for the first time. Likely improver for Mark Johnston but could bump into a classier rival here.
Al Madhar
Workmanlike victory on reappearance when besting today’s rival, Encipher, but likely to have needed the run and appeared to stay the trip well. Looks to have a strong each-way chance for Richard Hannon.
Encipher
John Gosden knows what it takes to win the Dante, landing this contest with Roaring Lion, Wings Of Desire and Roaring Lion in the last five years. Gosden is responsible for Waldkonig who chased home favourite Highest Ground last time. It looks significant that he is happy to take that rival on again with the selection who looked in need of his return and is expected to take a big step forward now.
The rescheduled calendar in 2020 means we should take stats with a pinch of salt, however, they do still give a good guide as to what it takes to win the race.
The two horses to come out best on the trends are Highest Ground and Cormorant. Both are officially rated higher than 102, have won a race this season and are priced up at the head of the market.
Get a head start with your bets this week by signing up to a bookmaker account and claiming a free bet. With a 10 race-card at York and an 8 race-card at Newmarket, free bets can come in handy, especially with firms competing against one another to offer the best deals. Check out our Free Bets page for more offers.