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Dante attracts eight Derby hopefuls The Group 2 Dante Stakes at York is always an informative trial for the Epsom Derby, the premier British classic which is staged at Epsom Downs on June 1. North Light (2004), Motivator (2005) and Authorized (2007) all annexed the extended 10-furlong contest en route to glory at Epsom Downs since the turn of the century, while Workforce (2010) finished second in the Dante before going on to win the Derby in record time. A strong field of eight will go to post for this year's renewal of the Dante on Thursday, and Ireland's champion trainer Aidan O'Brien could add another string to his Derby bow with Leopardstown maiden scorer Indian Chief. Ireland will also be represented by Jim Bolger's Trading Leather, who won two of his four starts as a juvenile including the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket in October, while Saeed bin Suroor will be relying on Secret Number, who forfeited his unbeaten record when a luckless third in the U.A.E. Derby on Tapeta at Meydan in March. Windhoek, Greatwood and Ghurair, who filled the first three places in the Tattersalls Millions Three-Year-Old Trophy at Newmarket last month, all re-oppose. Dante (1945) was the last Northern-trained winner of the Derby and Libertarian, trained in Yorkshire by Elaine Burke, will be hoping to put himself in the picture for Epsom Downs. The son of 2008 Derby winner New Approach was a second entry for the classic in April and made a winning debut over 10 furlongs at Pontefract on April 9. He was subsequently fourth at Sandown in the Classic Trial on April 26, when he was carried across the course and lost a substantial amount of ground. "Libertarian is in great form. He didn't come out of the Sandown race quite as we would have liked and his participation in the Dante was under review but in the last week he has really blossomed," said Karl Burke, husband and assistant to the trainer. "The only positive you could take out of the race at Sandown was that he managed to finish as close as he did and, because of that, I think he has gone under the radar a bit. I'm not saying he would have won, but after reviewing the race so many times, I cannot see how he wouldn't have been at least five lengths closer to them which would have put him on the heels of the first three. "We know he is crying out for a mile and a half already and the Dante is probably going to be on the sharp side for him as well but he is badly in need of experience if we are going to go for the Derby. The course at York should suit him and it is also on our doorstep but whether a big raw horse like him can go and bounce back after almost three weeks is a question mark. "Being realistic, if he can finish in the first four, not beaten too far and staying on, it will be an encouraging run. There is no superstar in the race and to me, everything looks up for grabs. "If it wasn't for the Derby, we would probably be going a completely different route with him but there is only one Derby and we are keen to get him there if it is at all possible. We will make a decision after his run on Thursday and everything is on hold until then." The field for the Dante is completed by David Elsworth's Dashing Star. If any of the three Dante runners not currently entered in the Derby (Dashing Star, Ghurair and Windhoek) were to run well on Thursday, then there is one final chance to make the field for the Derby at the £75,000 supplementary entry stage on May 27. Telescope, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, was expected to be among the declarations but has been ruled out with a minor leg infection. Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com
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