Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 2m 8.62s

(5)

Al Madhar²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Dane O'Neill| T: R Hannon| OR: 94| D

20/1

2-2 to date, scoring by a neck at Newbury after travelling best and holding on in game fashion. That form leaves him short of what a few have achieved already but he is open to plenty more improvement.

Form: 1-1

(1)

Cormorant^b³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 106| D

13/2

Some useful form at two, but improved on that to score in Leopardstown's Derby Trial last month, slipping his field early and holding on gamely to win ½l. That form slightly suspect but it sets the standard, and others can't allow him too much rope.

Form: 4152-1

(4)

Encipher²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 92| BF

10/1

Three starts to date, winning the second of them at Newbury a year ago but not really progressing and a little disappointing he couldn't get the better of Al Madhar at Newbury on reappearance. With powerful connections but needs more.

Form: 21-2

(3)

Highest Ground¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 107| D

8/11

Well bred, 2-2 to date and lowered the colours of the well-regarded Waldkonig at Haydock on latest start, coming right away in the closing stages and this trip clearly suits. Looks the one to beat, with improvement very likely.

Form: 1-1

(6)

Juan Elcano²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 110

7/1

Showed good form at two and even betterat three, finishing a 4l fifith to Kameko in the 2000 Guineas before a solid fourth in the G3 Hampton Court at Ascot. Yet to prove this trip is definitively what he wants but warrants plenty of respect.

Form: 123-54

(2)

Thunderous¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 103

13/2

Winner of all three starts at two, and lost little in defeat to the well-regarded Volkan Star on reappearance at Newmarket last month, looking like the run would do him good. Likely to improve and clearly stays well, so cannot be ruled out.

Form: 111-2

Forecasts

Highest Ground (8/11), Thunderous (13/2), Cormorant (13/2), Juan Elcano (7/1), Encipher (10/1), Al Madhar (20/1)

In the strangest of racing years, having the Dante after the Derby seems one of the strangest events of all, but here we are. Highest Ground has the potential to improve past these but improve he must, as he has a bit to find with a few of these on form and won't represent any great value. Cormorant should ensure there's a good pace on and we have seen to devastating effect in the last few days what happens when you allow a Ballydoyle runner too much rope on the front. Juan Elcano has some top-class form to his name but this trip is still a concern, so maybe THUNDEROUS is the answer. He looked sure to improve on his Newmarket run and a good pace is sure to suit.