2024 York Dante Preview

2024 Dante Stakes Preview  – Tipstersempire Verdict 

What is often considered as one of the key trials for the Derby, the Dante Stakes takes centre stage at York on Thursday afternoon. North Light (2004), Motivator (2005), Authorized (2007), Golden Horn (2015) and Desert Crown (2022) all strode to victory on the Knavesmire before tasting Derby success, so it will be extremely interesting to see who comes out on top in this year’s renewal. With several key contenders to consider, we’ve decided to take a closer look at each of the runners and have provided a runner-by-runner guide to Thursday’s Group 2 event. 

 

Recent Dante Stakes Winners: 

Year	Horse	Price	Trainer
2023	The Foxes	6/1	Andrew Balding
2022	Desert Crown	7/2 JF	Sir Michael Stoute
2021	Hurricane Lane	5/1	Charlie Appleby
2020	Thunderous	13/2	Mark Johnston
2019	Telecaster	7/1	Hughie Morrison
2018	Roaring Lion	3/1 F	John Gosden
2017	Permian	10/1	Mark Johnston
2016	Wings Of Desire	9/1	John Gosden
2015	Golden Horn	4/1	John Gosden
2014	The Grey Gatsby	9/1	Kevin Ryan
2013	Libertarian	33/1	Elaine Burke

2024 Dante Stakes – Runner-by-runner Guide:

 

Al Musmak (Roger Varian, James Doyle)

Progressive son of Night Of Thunder who won two of his four starts as a juvenile, including at Listed level last season. Form of his Haydock victory last September appears to be rock-solid, while his two defeats at Ascot and Newmarket came at the hands of a couple of progressive individuals in Rosallion and Ghostwriter – that pair finished 2nd and 4th in this year’s 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. Lofty entries further down the line suggests that he’s held in the highest regard at home, however, the step up in trip does pose a slight question mark and it will be interesting to see how he fairs on his seasonal reappearance.  

 

Ancient Wisdom (Charlie Appleby, William Buick) 

High-class Dubawi colt who cost a pretty penny as a yearling (€2,000,000). Went someway to justifying that hefty price tag when winning four of his five juvenile starts last term, his sole defeat coming in the Listed Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot when finishing third behind Al Musmak and Rosallion. Rounded off his 2yo campaign with comfortable victories in the Autumn Stakes and Futurity Trophy at Newmarket and Doncaster respectively, and is clearly expected to be well suited by stepping up in trip this year. Comes into Thursday’s contest clear on official ratings and is already as short as 6/1 in places for next month’s Derby. 

 

Cambridge (Aidan O’Brien, Ryan Moore)

Promising Irish raider who got off the mark at the second attempt when landing a novice event at Salisbury last September. Proved no match for stablemate Grosvenor Square on his final juvenile outing at Leopardstown in October, but shaped with promise in defeat on his return to action in the Group 3 Craven Stakes at Newmarket last month, keeping on well in the closing stages to finish a creditable fourth of seven under Ryan Moore. Step up in trip looks certain to suit based on that recent effort, and is another in here who holds multiple Group 1 entries later in the season. 

 

Caviar Heights (Karl Burke, Clifford Lee) 

Belatedly got off the mark at the third attempt when justifying prohibitive odds at Goodwood last September. Shaped as if something was badly amiss when finishing tailed off in the Royal Lodge at Newmarket on his final juvenile start, but has subsequently got back on track for new connections this season. Belied massive odds when running a mighty race in third on his stable debut in the Feilden Stakes in April, and duly built on that encouraging run when storming to victory in the Listed Newmarket Stakes earlier this month. Form of that four length victory is open to question – the favourite badly underperformed on that occasion – but the performance was at least backed up by a solid time figure, and he’s very much entitled  to take his chance here. Stamina and race fitness on very much on his side and connections often have their runners primed to run well at this particular meeting.  

 

Economics (William Haggas, Tom Marquand) 

Lightly-raced son of Night Of Thunder who went down as a big eye-catcher on his debut at Newmarket (7f) last November. Produced a fast finishing effort in fourth that day – his final furlong sectional was the quickest of the thirteen runners by some way –  and he delivered a similar burst of pace when winning on his return to action at Newbury last month, seeing out the extra furlong in comfortable fashion to win by just under two lengths. Difficult to get too carried away with that maiden success, however, winners have emerged from that particular contest (the 6th & 8th have won in recent weeks) and he should have little trouble stepping up in distance once again on Thursday afternoon. Step up in class suggests he needs to take another step forward in order to get involved, but hails from a top yard and further improvement is certainly not ruled out. 

 

God’s Window (John & Thady Gosden, Kieran Shoemark) 

Ran out a cosy winner of a Doncaster maiden (1mile) on his racecourse debut back in September, and returned to that course and distance just over a month later when finishing third behind Ancient Wisdom in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy in October. Made the most of a golden opportunity at Nottingham last month, but proved to be a tad disappointing when finishing last of four in the Listed Dee Stakes at Chester’s May meeting just last week. Has questions to answer following that lacklustre performance, and will once again have to try and turn the tables on the Godolphin runner on Thursday afternoon. 

 

War Rooms (Owen Burrows, Jim Crowley) 

Appeared to be a colt of immense potential when thumping eleven rivals on his racecourse debut at Doncaster (7f) last July, but has struggled to land a serious blow in his last couple of starts. Ran in snatches when failing to justify favouritism in the Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes in September and faired no better when making an underwhelming return in the Classic Trial at Sandown last month. Recent displays suggests that he has plenty to prove at present, and he’ll need to bounce back in a big way if he’s to play any sort of role in the finish on Thursday afternoon.  

 

Tipstersempire 1-2-3 Verdict: 

City Of Troy’s flop in the 2000 Guineas has left this year’s Derby with a very wide-open look to it. ANCIENT WIDSOM has already attracted notable support for next month’s showpiece event, and while his fitness has to be taken on trust on Thursday, everything points to a big run from Charlie Appleby’s rapidly improving colt. A comfortable winner of the Futurity Trophy at the back end of last season at Doncaster, he’s already proven his versatility when it comes to the ground and he should have little trouble negotiating the step up in distance on his return to action on the Knavesmire. He can stamp his authority on this field before setting his sights on Epsom next month. Best of the rest could be Caviar Heights, who already has race fitness on his side, while the likes of Cambridge & Economics both have each-way claims at double-figure prices.

1.  Ancient Wisdom
2. Caviar Heights
3. Cambridge