15:35 York

Thursday 18 May 2023

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:38 | Winning time: 2m 5.84s

(7)

Canberra Legend²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J Ferguson| OR: 103

13/2

350,000 gns Australia colt who justified market confidence with a comfortable debut win at Newcastle in February. Took the jump up in class in his stride when following up in Feilden Stakes at Newmarket last month. Rates an exciting prospect and has a similar profile to 2015 winner Golden Horn.

Form: 11

(3)

Continuous²³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 109

6/1

Looked potentially smart when winning both 2-y-o starts, namely maiden at the Curragh and Group 3 (1m) at Saint-Cloud. Sure to progress again and win more races but isn't entered for the Derby.

Form: 11-

(11)

Dancing Magic²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: K Shoemark| T: R A Teal| OR: 106

66/1

Still a maiden but has been highly tried, good 3 lengths third of 7 in Craven Stakes at Newmarket on return. Up against it again.

Form: 42244-3

(8)

Dear My Friend⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: C Johnston| OR: 104

22/1

Pivotal colt who won novices at Carlisle (6f) and Beverley (7.4f) first 2 starts. Has continued his progress, 4¼ lengths third to Flying Honours in Zetland Stakes at Newmarket final 2-y-o start before making winning return in listed race at Newcastle on return. More needed again.

Form: 11533-1

(5)

Epictetus²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 111| D

5/1

Very good at 2, winning at Newmarket (Flying Honours 4½ lengths behind) on debut before runner-up in Group 2 Autumn Stakes there (Rowley Mile) and Group 1 Futurity at Doncaster. Landed the odds with a bit in hand in Blue Riband Trial at Epsom over this trip on return and high on the shortlist.

Form: 122-1

(10)

Flying Honours²²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 110| D

11/2

Made up into a useful juvenile, following up his close third in Royal Lodge (unsuited by slow pace) at Newmarket with win number 3 in Zetland Stakes there (10f) in October. This son of Sea The Stars appeals as the type to progress further at 3 yrs so he's well in the mix.

Form: 41131-

(12)

Killybegs Warrior²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: F Norton| T: C Johnston| OR: 100

100/1

Dual winner over 7f on the July Course at Newmarket last summer. Better form in defeat this year, good 1¼ lengths third of 9 to Canberra Legend in listed contest at Newmarket (9f, good to soft) 29 days ago, albeit having run of race. No reason why he should beat the winner here.

Form: 175-433

(4)

Liberty Lane²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 90| BF

20/1

Impressive debut winner at Nottingham (8.3f, heavy) sole 2-y-o start, forging clear. Good second under a penalty to the now-smart Waipiro at Newmarket on return. May do better again but this looks a tough ask.

Form: 1-2

(1)

Passenger²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute

9/2

Ulysses colt who overcame inexperience to make a winning debut in maiden (Wood Ditton) at Newmarket (8f, good to soft, 11/1) 4 weeks ago, produced to lead final 1f and going clear. A scopey sort who surely has more to offer. Trainer has won this a record 7 times.

Form: 1

(2)

The Foxes²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 111

6/1

Progressive Churchill colt who followed up Goodwood maiden win in a slowly run but strong renewal of the Royal Lodge at Newmarket final start at 2yrs. Solid return when runner-up in the Craven there and should have more to offer over this longer trip. Must be considered.

Form: 4911-2

(6)

White Birch^t⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Shane Foley| T: J J Murphy| OR: 105| D

9/1

Confirmed debut promise to run out a ready winner of 13-runner maiden at Dundalk (7f, 7/2) in November and took another big step forward when following up in 6-runner Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown (10f, heavy) on return. Ground won't be as testing here but still warrants plenty of respect.

Form: 51-1

Non-Runners

(9)

King Of Steel²⁰⁸

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: R Varian J: K Stott

Forecasts

Passenger (9/2), Epictetus (5/1), Flying Honours (11/2), The Foxes (6/1), Continuous (6/1), Canberra Legend (13/2), White Birch (9/1), Liberty Lane (20/1), Dear My Friend (22/1), King Of Steel (25/1), Dancing Magic (66/1), Killybegs Warrior (100/1)

This looks a wide-open renewal but EPICTETUS appeals as the most solid option. He had the best form at 2 yrs and confirmed his well-being when making a winning return in a listed event at Epsom. The Foxes also boasts strong 2-y-o form and he shaped very well when runner-up in the Craven at Newmarket, while stamina isn't a concern for Flying Honours, who promises to make a better 3-y-o.