Dante Stakes Guide

1. Almania

T - Sir Michael Stoute

J - Jim Crowley

Good prospect after two runs last summer, but might just be lacking the cutting-edge Group form at this moment in time amongst this field.

Finished fourth on debut when sent off favourite at Ascot, before landing the spoils in good style in a maiden at Sandown under Ryan Moore.

Jim Crowley jumps aboard this son of Australia, and his time may come in the future - not here.

2. Japan

T - Aidan O'Brien

J - Ryan Moore

Fine progression as a juvenile last term, finishing an average seventh on debut at the Curragh in September.

Stepped up to win his maiden at Listowel at short odds in September, before leading on the line at Naas in a Group Two over a mile on a good surface.

Shaped as if a step-up to this distance will suit, and is already prominent in the Derby market.

Decent standard.

3. Line Of Duty

T - Charlie Appleby

J - James Doyle

Broke maiden tag third time lucky at Goodwood, after two near misses at Sandown and at Haydock.

Just prevailed from William Haggas' Pablo Escobarr - who was second to Anthony Van Dyck in a Derby trial at Lingfield on Saturday.

Line Of Duty took his campaign internationally, striking in a Group Three at Chantilly in October before final win as a two-year-old came in the one-mile Breeders Cup Juvenile turf.

Will stay at least 1m2f, and a strong player here.

4. Nayef Road

T - Mark Johnston

J - Silvestre De Sousa

Clearly a group performer on the basis of his win in a handicap off a big weight on reappearance, but could find himself in deep waters here.

In an above-average Dante, Nayef Road will definitely be one of those at a price that will be involved only if the market principles flop.

Most runs have come at Newmarket, so need to prove it elsewhere.

5. Surfman

T - Roger Varian

J - Andrea Atzeni

Been the subject of some big money in the lead-up into this event, and does not surprise given how impressive he was in his two most recent starts - most notably at Newcastle on the all-weather.

Half-brother to Prix Vermeille winner Kitesurf, he scorched clear to make his opposition look bare average on the Tapeta and quickened stylishly in the shape of a really good horse, offering to all with an eye on him what he can do when asked for something.

Has major potential, and could be something special.

6. Telecaster

T - Hughie Morrison

J - Oisin Murphy

Telecaster is another individual who could have a really bright future, given his runway demolition job at Windsor last month, scoring comfortably by nine lengths over Sir Michael Stoute's Deal A Dollar.

The three-year-old finished a strong second to Sandown Classic Trial winner Bangkok on debut at Doncaster, and clearly the two were in a different league.

Very interesting, and an exciting plus useful prospect.

7. Too Darn Hot

T - John Gosden

J - Frankie Dettori

Champion two-year-old is back after missing out the Greenham and the Guineas, and steps up in the trip for the first time in his young career.

Last victory came in the Dewhurst over seven where he battled on strongly to maintain his unbeaten record which was stretched to four in a row.

Looks certain to stay the 1m2f trip on performances and on pedigree, and will be very hard to stop on his route to the Derby.

Big favourite, but decent opposition in the way.

8. Turgenev

T - John Gosden

J - Kieran O'Neill

Trainers second chance, Turgenev was third in the 1m2f Listed Blue Riband Stakes at Epsom recent, and with that being his best performance form wise, a victory here looks unlikely to come-by.

Bleak prospects in this given the field anyway, but went rapidly downhill after victories at Newcastle and at Newmarket on the turf.

Shame, and surely won't revitalise his career here unless causing a big upset. Tough ask.