Group Two Dante Stakes York Guide 2023

Karl Burke has one in the Dante Stakes at York with Liberty Lane, his three-year-old colt. The 90-rated runner won his first race with ease, claiming victory by five lengths to Mr Buster in a class two novice at Nottingham last October. Sent off as 9/4fav in class four Newmarket novice last time out last month, he finished three lengths behind 25/1 winner Waipiro before heading for group two glory here.

This looks a tough ask with what he’s experienced so far, a good run could be on the horizon, but others make more appeal.

James Ferguson sends one to the Dante Stakes at York on Thursday with his colt Canberra Legend. The three-year-old is unbeaten so far, boasting wins at Newcastle on debut by three lengths in a class three novice before stepping up next time out to win Listed Feilden Stakes at Newmarket last month by half a length to Kolsai.

No reason why that improvement can’t continue here on his first experience of grouped company, and that listed success provides encouragement for that. Daniel Muscutt does the steering on the colt who cannot be taken lightly.

Andrew Balding sends his three-year-old The Foxes to the Dante Stakes at York on Thursday, who arrives here in good form. After finishing fourth on debut at Newbury and ninth at Royal Ascot on his second run, the colt has won two of his last three races. Those wins came at Goodwood (class two maiden) and an impressive victory at Newmarket in the Group Two Royal Lodge Stakes (Flying Honours in third).

He followed that with a second-place finish in the Group Three Craven Stakes last month at the same course and steps up to 1m 2f with more to offer now. Oisin Murphy is booked to ride and The Foxes shouldn’t be discounted.

Charlie Johnston sends two of his runners to the Dante Stakes in the form of Killybegs Warrior and Dear My Friend. The latter arrives at York in decent form after winning his first two races at Carlisle and Beverley before finishing fifth at Goodwood in Group Two Vintage Stakes behind some top grouped horses.

He has since finished third in a listed event in France and Group Three Zetland Stakes at Newmarket as well as winning return this year in Listed Burradon Stakes at Newcastle last month.

More improvement is needed here but his runs in decent company could represent a decent each-way bet in this contest at around 28/1. Andrea Atzeni is booked to ride.

Charlie Johnston sends two to the Dante Stakes with Dear My Friend and market outsider Killybegs Warrior. The latter of those is priced at around 80/1 here, with the three-year-old on an inconsistent run of form since winning two of his first three races in 2022 at Newmarket (twice). Finished fifth of six in Group Three Autumn Stakes in October and most recently third in Listed Feilden Stakes, which has been his best effort for a while.

We all love an outsider claiming winning or place money but that looks unlikely here with Killybegs Warrior. Franny Norton is booked to ride.

Roger Teal boasts one in the Dante Stakes at York on Thursday with Dancing Magic, who is yet to get off the mark in his career. He has managed to finish in the top four of all six of his races, including placing in Listed Ascendant Stakes at Haydock and Group Three Craven Stakes at Newmarket last month, behind The Foxes and Indestructible.

Despite not winning yet, he has run some good races and could go well again, although he is an unlikely winner.

Charlie Appleby sends his three-year-old Flying Honours to the Dante Stakes on Thursday, with the colt beginning his career well so far. He has won three of his five races so far, including the Group Three Zetland Stakes at Newmarket in October last year, beating Blanchland by a length. Was a disappointing third when 2/7fav at the same course a month prior but this son of Sea The Stars could go well here.

Open to more progress, should be in the mix for victory here although up against some runners with good records so far. William Buick will be on board.

John and Thady Gosden send one of their runners to this year’s renewal of the Dante Stakes at York on Thursday in the shape of Epictetus. Arrives here in top form with a win on debut at Newmarket last year followed by two second place finishes at Newmarket and Doncaster in Group Three Autumn Stakes and Group One Futurity Trophy Stakes respectively.

Returned in 2023 to win listed event at Epsom Downs last month by half a length to Hadrianus and arrives as the one to beat here off that form, although there will be lots of competition here with some unbeaten runners.

Aiden O’Brien has one in this year's renewal of the Dante Stakes in the form of the unbeaten Continuous. The three-year-old has had two runs in his career so far, winning both including Curragh maiden last August by just over a length and group three at Saint-Cloud to round off 2022. That grouped success provides encouragement for this but this will be harder.

He’s sure to progress more but retaining that unbeaten record will be tougher here.

John Joseph Murphy sends one to the Dante Stakes at York on Thursday with three-year-old White Birch. The 105-rated colt has had a good start to his racing career, putting behind him a fifth-place finish on debut at Naas by winning his next two races at Dundalk and Leopardstown. Dundalk success was impressive, winning by six lengths before claiming Group Three Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown last month.

He warrants respect here after that grouped victory and cannot be dismissed now in group two company here. Lots of in-form runners in this race so it will be tough but could go well. Shane Foley does the steering.

Roger Varian sends his three-year-old colt King Of Steel to the Dante Stakes for his debut for his new yard. After winning ten-runner Nottingham maiden in October last year by just under five lengths, he was sent into group one company at Doncaster for the Futurity Trophy but only managed seventh of eight, with the race probably coming too soon for him.

Varian now sends him into group two company as he has his first run for his new yard. Has something to prove back at this level but is not completely dismissed.

Sir Michael Stoute has one in this contest with Passenger. The three-year-old boasts an unbeaten record so far, winning his debut race at Newmarket last month when priced at 10/1, scoring impressively by three lengths to 11/2 shot Kathab and favourite New Business was back in third. Trainer Stoute has won this race seven times, including last year with Desert Crown.

Richard Kingscote is booked to ride the colt here as Stoute aims for an eighth success in this contest. Passenger shouldn’t be dismissed either.