There’s seven races on day two of York’s Dante Festival, which takes place on Thursday 15th May, 2025. The feature race of the day is the Dante Stakes, which could throw up some vital Derby clues, while there are six other fascinating races. Our tipster Steve Chambers previews the action and picks out his best bets on the card…
2:10pm York – Lindum York Handicap
Rated in the high 90s at his peak, LETHAL NYMPH has been on a long losing run stretching back to September 2022, but as he continues to topple in the handicap he continues to look more appealing in these sort of races. He was an eye-catching second at Pontefract two starts ago off a mark of 80, but failed to follow that up when down the field at Thirsk on his next outing.
You are taking a real chance on Paul Midgley’s six-year-old bouncing back here, but off bottom weight and a mark of 79 and with exciting youngster Warren Fentiman taking 5lbs on his back then he’s devilishly well handicapped to run a big race at huge odds.
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2:42pm York – Oakmere Homes Hambleton Handicap
Kevin Ryan’s SISYPHEAN made mockery of a mark of 80 when winning over course and distance last May, but he’s since struggled to build on that effort, but a return to the Knavesmire for a hugely competitive 2:42pm contest can see him bounce back to winning ways. Now rated 92, he will have his work cut out, but he disappointed last time out at York in slower conditions, so a return to quicker ground should see him improve.
That last run at York as well came over 1m 2f 56y, so a drop back to 7f 192y for Thursday’s encounter could see him relish the less distance and he can get his head in front. The likes of Blue For You, Romieu and Old Cock should all put up bold bids for victory, but Sisyphean aided by Ryan Moore should claim the prize.
3:13pm York – Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes
Andrew Balding’s See The Fire is a hot favourite to land the Middleton Fillies’ Stakes at 3:13pm, but with only two wins in 11 starts she could be worth taking on at skinny odds and the one that can claim victory is Charlie Appleby’s BEAUTIFUL LOVE. Only seen 11 days ago finishing a creditable third in the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket, the Godolphin charge can improve on that effort and should prove better over this slightly longer trip.
She was a bit awkward that day, so William Buick will have his work cut out to get her settled and carry her head properly, but she’s shown she has some notable talent and could improve on that Newmarket run. Nakheel and Doha add notable depth to the race, but it’s the Godolphin contender that can claim Group 2 success.
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