The second day of York’s Dante meeting includes the race after which the festival is named. With the hot Derby favourite in town, Joe Napier outlines why he could just be vulnerable on his reappearance, as he gives four best bets across the live action.
2.42 York – Oakmere Homes Hambleton Handicap
Plenty of recognisable names appear in race two on Thursday, with Cruyff Turn a former winner of this race, and Blue For You and La Trinidad having also won and raced regularly over course and distance. They may all be upstaged by a relative newcomer though, with ROMIEU looking particularly interesting on his handicap debut.
He cedes swathes of experience to his rivals, but he was clearly well thought of when based with Andre Fabre in France, if difficult to train. He only saw a racecourse twice for Fabre, but was odds-on for both starts, winning at Compiegne, and finishing second at Chantilly.
He has since switched to Adrian Paul Keatley’s yard, for whom he made a taking debut at Redcar. Due to being four years old, he was conceding vast amounts of weight to his four three-year-old rivals, but still won comfortably and looks well drawn to use his prominent racing style to good effect. The impression, while unfounded, is that he could easily prove well-handicapped.
3.13 York – Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes (Group 2)
See The Fire is the class act on her game, but her underwhelming reappearance, coupled with this trip potentially being longer than ideal, make her an opposable favourite. Also stepping up the furthest distance she has faced is ROYAL DRESS, who proved the queen of the upset last season.
She made her debut for James Tate with a 33/1 Listed success at Goodwood on her seasonal return in 2024, was placed at 14/1 at Group 3 level at Epsom immediately afterwards, then won at 16/1 at that level at the Curragh last July. That latest victory came over 1m1f, the furthest she has raced over, and she was keeping on well at the end of that distance.
That gives hope for her staying this trip, as does some stamina on her dam’s side of the family. She generally races in rear, which is not always ideal at York, but the chance is factored into her substantial price as an each-way bet in an eight-runner field.
3.45 York – Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes (Group 2)
The Lion In Winter has been the long-term Derby favourite and Aidan O’Brien has been sweeping the Classic trials on these shores. However, it is public knowledge that his juvenile star has had fitness issues in the 267 days since he last raced, when winning the Acomb Stakes on the Knavesmire with 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court behind.
He was also favoured by a significant pace bias that day, and a line through runner-up Wimbledon Hawkeye, who opposes again here, suggests he is worth watching today. He is the likeliest winner, but then ALPINE TRAIL is unbeaten in three for the same Godolphin connections as Ruling Court and could serve it up to Ballydoyle.
The son of Dubawi only made his debut in February, winning cosily at Wolverhampton at odds of 4/9, and has won twice more since, including a Yarmouth novice under a penalty by just under four lengths, and the Listed Newmarket Stakes by three lengths to remain undefeated last time out. He was entitled to win every one of those contests, but has done it stylishly each time and his front-running can be an asset if William Buick gets a good early position.
4.18 York – British Stallion Studs EBF Westlow Stakes (Listed)
He is the only runner without an appearance in 2025, but AESTERIUS was by far the best in this field as a juvenile, and none of his rivals have made any great impression since returning as three-year-olds. The favourite therefore looks likely to produce the goods here even conceding penalties all-round.
Archie Watson’s charge won easily on debut a year ago, so there are not too many doubts about how he will perform fresh. He was a touch unlucky not to win at Royal Ascot, but did go onto land Listed, Group 3 and Group 2 prizes by season’s end, notably winning from the front at Doncaster in the Flying Childers Stakes despite being pestered for the lead throughout.
That should set him up well at York and a higher draw is no issue at this shortest distance. If making the natural improvement from two to three, it will take a serious level of improvement from one of his rivals to match him.
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.