The Dante Stakes is widely regarded as the premier Derby Trial although Golden Horn 12 months ago was the first colt to go on to Epsom classic success having won on the Knavesmire since Authorized back in 2007.
The beautifully bred Midterm (3.15) was largely unfancied on debut, when winning a Newbury maiden back in October, and trainer Sir Michael Stoute confirmed that the first foal of Midday shows little at home after he made a winning reappearance at Sandown last month.
The selection is currently the 3/1 market leader for the Derby with BetVictor and 5/4 for this afternoon's Group 2 contest; Ryan Moore was in the plate at the Esher track but he will be needed by Aidan O'Brien at Epsom (probably aboard US Army Ranger) and Pat Smullen gets the leg up this afternoon.
Foundation, arguably, should have gone into winter quarters unbeaten having had a terrible passage in the Racing Post Trophy under Frankie Dettori at Doncaster. Punters were willing to forgive that run on his reappearance at Newmarket but he struggled to cope with the good to soft ground and this is something of a retrieval mission; this extended 10f and better ground will see him in a better light and he is considered the main danger to Midterm despite the fact that Dettori deserts him in favour of Wings Of Desire.
The Middleton Stakes is worth the admission money alone; Journey improved in leaps and bounds last back end but she might find this 10f on the sharp side and Dettori might struggle to get to the front from stall eight with Irish raider Ballybacka Queen likely to take them along.
Crystal Zvezda pulled too hard to do herself justice on her reappearance but is best watched at present, and the two to concentrate on are perhaps Lady Of Dubai and Speedy Boarding (2.40) with preference for the latter representing the yard of James Fanshawe who has his string in such good form.
The filly won her first two starts last term over this trip and appeared not to get home in both starts over 12f; back at 10f she can reward each way support at 8/1 with BetVictor.
Mothers Finest will be worth keeping an eye on this term but not until the Karl Burke yard hit form and my two against the field in the Hambleton Stakes are Lord Of The Rock and Third Time Lucky (3.45) with marginal preference for the latter who finished last term with a flourish winning at Thirsk and then the Cambridgeshire for Richard Fahey; connections hope he can make up into a Group horse this term.
The listed Westow Stakes looks top class with the naughty but talented Gracious John a danger to all with Smullen taking over in the plate; he must give 8lbs, however, to the filly Easton Angel (4.15) who finished runner up to the precocious Acapulco in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot back in June. The selection's form, arguably, tailed off last season but first time out might be the time to catch her and I think she can get back to winning ways.
At Salisbury Kieran Shoemark takes a valuable 5lbs off the back of Intermittent (2.25) and the filly is bred to appreciate the step up in trip having scored over an extended mile on the all-weather last time.
I like the chances of Curious Carlos (3.25) in the valuable handicap hurdle at Perth despite the steadier of 11st 12lbs; the selection is fitted with a tongue tie for the first time despite having won a decent novice at Chepstow last time when he was left clear at the last by the fatal fall of Simon Squirrel. He will need a good pace dropping back in trip but he can make it himself if none of his seven opponents want to make the running.
Mister First must go close in the 2m 4f Handicap Chase having wo the corresponding race from just a 2lbs higher mark but the vote goes to Voyage A New York for (5.00) Lucinda Russell with Tom Scudamore a significant booking.
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