Horse Racing Tip – 3.15 York 12-05-16

Once again York’s Betfred Dante Stakes looks set to provide the most significant trial for next month’s Epsom Derby as Thursday’s Group 2 contest has attracted a field of twelve potential top middle-distance performers headed by Sir Michael Stoute’s unbeaten Midterm, currently no bigger than 100-30 with Betway for Flat racing’s most famous classic.

Impeccably bred by Galileo out of that wonderful mare Midday, Midterm is certainly bred to win a Derby and the form of his bet365 Classic Trial victory is hard to knock but Pat Smullen’s mount will find this a much more searching test and at a short price is worth opposing.

The unexposed trio of Choreographer, Victory Bond and Wings Of Desire are all capable of leaving their form to date well behind but it is last season’s Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket which may provide the most significant clues to the outcome of the extended mile and a quarter affair.

That Group 2 race went to John Gosden’s Foundation who should prove much better than his two subsequent efforts but it is the runner-up on that occasion, Deauville, who looked every inch a possible Derby candidate. The colt was staying on best of all at headquarters to be beaten three-quarters of a length, form which can be reversed on the Knavesmire over the extra two furlongs plus.

The son of Galileo ended the season on a disappointing note when only fifth in Doncaster’s Racing Post Trophy and is definitely worth another chance to earn his Epsom place, for which a victory would see his current odds of 33-1 turn out to be generous to say the least.

York Dante Tip

1 Point each-way Deauville 13-2 bet365 (1/4 odds)