15:30 York

Thursday 17 May 2018

All14:2014:5515:3016:0516:3517:0517:35

Betfred Dante Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:32 | Winning time: 2m 9.79s

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Selected odds by:

(8)

Crossed Baton²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 103| D

7/1

Won on return at Kempton and landed what looks like a strong Derby trial at Epsom last month, finding plenty for pressure having been a shade keen early. Yard have an excellent recent record in this race but the colt must improve again to win this.

Form: 61-11

(1)

James Cook^t²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 95

9/1

Improved from debut as many from this yard do when winning at Leopardstown in October. Sweated up prior to finishing fourth in the Derby Trial at Epsom behind Crossed Baton though and doesn't look entirely straightforward with a high head carriage.

Form: 21-4

(2)

Merlin Magic²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 97

16/1

Won a Nottingham maiden on fourth run before he was well beaten in the Racing Post Trophy. Impressive winner at Sandown on return (won going away) and while the form of that race isn't strong, he may improve for quicker ground given his pedigree.

Form: 32519-1

(9)

Mildenberger³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 107

7/2

Well ridden when winning a Newmarket Listed race on return, tapped for toe a little before stamina kicked in when he hit the rising ground. Step up in trip here is a positive and yard won this last year but others look less exposed.

Form: 11313-1

(5)

Nordic Lights²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 100| D

4/1

Won despite very little going right for him on debut (green and raced wide). Followed up with a much more professional performance at Newmarket, staying on gamely when conceding weight to all and while not entered in the Derby, he's not out of this.

Form: 11

(4)

Roaring Lion¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 116| BF

3/1

Run out of things late when second in the Racing Post Trophy. Bounced back from a below par run in the Craven with a fifth in the Guineas and may have finished closer if he had raced with the centre group. Leading claims if he stays the new trip.

Form: 1112-35

(7)

Wells Farhh Go²⁶⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 108| C

8/1

Won both career starts over 7f here, most recent of those in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes. Stayed on gamely that day and signs in his pedigree that he has the stamina for this; entered in the Derby and not ruled out if he handles quicker conditions.

Form: 11-

(6)

White Mocha^t²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: H Palmer| OR: 99

16/1

Won two of his three starts as a juvenile. Had Roaring Lion in behind when second of six in the Craven on return but not certain to confirm that form considering that rival has bounced back since in the Guineas. Stamina doubts also a concern.

Form: 121-2

(3)

Zabriskie²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 93

50/1

Improved from debut to win on heavy ground at Tipperary in September but well beaten at Newmarket at the end of the campaign in a Group 3. In behind two of these in the Derby Trial at Epsom on seasonal return and hard to fancy on all known form.

Form: 018-6

Forecasts

Roaring Lion (3/1), Mildenberger (7/2), Nordic Lights (4/1), Crossed Baton (7/1), Wells Farhh Go (8/1), James Cook (9/1), Merlin Magic (16/1), White Mocha (16/1), Zabriskie (50/1)

A traditional trial for the Derby in which John Gosden has a fine recent record having sent Golden Horn here on his way to Derby glory in 2015. His two runners this year both arrive with obvious claims and it's ROARING LION who makes most appeal. He disappointed in the Craven but bounced back with a fine effort when racing alone on the stands-side rail in the 2,000 Guineas and provided he stays this trip, he's the one to beat. Stablemate Crossed Baton is respected after his Derby Trial success at Epsom. Wells Farhh Go appreciates cut in the ground but isn't out of this if handling conditions while Merlin Magic and Nordic Lights both have each-way claims at likely bigger prices.