Regarded as one of the leading Derby trials, the Dante Stakes has long been a stepping stone for those three-year-old colts that have one eye on an Epsom victory in a few weeks time. Well, the 2025 renewal of the Dante Stakes will see the current ante-post favourite for the Derby, The Lion In Winter, head to York to try and claim victory in this event before heading to the Downs in a few weeks. Our tipster Steve Chambers takes a look at whether the Aidan O’Brien star can claim victory and he picks out his 1-2-3 for the Group 2 event on Thursday 15th May.
Favourites
A comfortable winner of a maiden on his debut at the Curragh last season, The Lion In Winter really showed his potential when storming to an impressive one-and-three-quarter length victory in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York last August. Pulling comfortably clear of Wimbledon Hawkeye that day, the son of Sea The Stars had subsequent 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court back in third, so it’s certainly top notch form. Now stepping up to 1m 2f 56y from seven furlongs, the Ballydoyle star is bred to relish the step up in trip and around a 3/1 mark for the Derby it’s unsurprising to see him being generally available at odds-on for this contest.
The aforementioned Wimbledon Hawkeye went on from that Acomb Stakes to claim victory in the Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket, but James Owen’s raider hasn’t tasted victory since. Fifth in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket a few weeks ago, he will come into this clash with The Lion In Winter with a run under his belt, but it’s going to be a tough ask for him to reverse their previous York form.
Charlie Appleby and William Buick have already claimed big victories this season with 2000 & 1000 Guineas win and they will be hoping Alpine Trail can turn into a leading Derby player. Unbeaten in all three starts, the Dubawi colt has been improving with every run this season and was last seen winning a Listed event at Newmarket over 1m 2f. Proven over the ten-furlong trip, the Godolphin charge needs to continue on an upward curve, but has to be respected.
Outsiders
Ralph Beckett’s Pride Of Arras is a fascinating contender as having only made one start, which was an impressive win at Sandown last August, and with entries in both the English and Irish Derby the New Bay colt must be held in high regard. A comfortable three-length winner in that Sandown event he is one at a price that has to be given a second look.
Two from two, Tuscan Hills was a taking four-length winner of the Listed Pomfret Stakes at Pontefract at the back end of last season and is another putting his unbeaten record on the line in this event, while Royal Playwright is the most experienced runner in the field with five runs already on his CV, but with only one success then Andrew Balding’s contender is going to find it hard.
John & Thady Gosden will unleash a three-pronged attack, but the triumvirate of Damysus, Nightwalker and Devil’s Advocate all look to be struggling on form to land a blow on those towards the head of the market.
The Best Free Bets & Betting Offers For Dante Stakes
The Dante Stakes is the feature race on Thursday 15th May, 2025 and we pick out some of the leading free bets and betting offers available to use on the contest.
| Bookmaker | Offer |
| Sky Bet | Bet 5p Get £30 in Free Bets |
| Paddy Power | Bet £5 Get £30 in Free Bets |
| Ladbrokes | Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets |
| Bet365 | Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets |
Dante Stakes Racecard
Here’s an in-depth guide to the runners and riders for the 2025 Dante Stakes at York on Thursday 15th May, 2025.
15:45 York
Good To FirmAl Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes (Group 2)
- 1m 2f 56y
- Class 1
- 11 runners
- Win time: 2m 11s
18/1 (Won)
- Win: £20.30
- Place: £3.90
16/1
- Place: £3.80
7/1
- Place: £1.90
80/1
16/1
8/11F
22/1
25/1
12/1
50/1
13/2
+o+e Betting Returns
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £239.50 |
| Straight Forecast | £267.81 |
| Tricast | £2216.85 |
| Trifecta | £1844.00 |
Selections
TOPSPEED:
The Lion In WinterThe Times:
The Lion In WinterTelegraph:
The Lion In WinterThe Guardian:
The Lion In WinterDante Stakes Prediction
Aidan O’Brien’s THE LION IN WINTER lived up to the hype when bounding to Acomb Stakes glory at the Ebor Festival and a return to York over a more suitable longer trip can see him cement his place as outright favourite for the Derby next month. Alpine Trail is a lively adversary for the in-form duo of Appleby and Buick and the Godolphin charge can finish second, while Prince Of Arras can complete the 1-2-3 in what should be a cracking renewal.
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