The Dante Stakes invariably offers up clues of some sort for the Epsom Derby. In the build-up to this year’s edition of York’s key Derby trial the focus was on long time ante-post Derby favourite The Lion In Winter who was making his seasonal reappearance following an unbeaten two-year-old campaign
His two wins as a two-year-old included the Acomb Stakes at York so he had experience of both travelling from Ireland and of this particular track. The vibes weren’t necessarily positive about him though with joint owner Michael Tabor suggesting beforehand that he would come on plenty for the race.
Godolphin also fielded a potentially top-class candidate in Alpine Trail, a son of Dubawi who had won all three of his starts as a three-year-old and appeared to be progressing rapidly.
In the end both these colts disappointed to various degrees. Alpine Trail was a little warm before the race and faded to finish last having raced prominently early on.
The Lion In Winter raced keenly early, jockey Ryan Moore working to hold him up. He travelled well enough into a challenging position in the straight but couldn’t quite see his effort through and he finished 6th of the 11 runners.
All of which left the centre-stage free for the Ralph Beckett trained Pride Of Arras to spring a surprise and stake his own claims for the Epsom classic.
A son of New Bay, Pride Of Arras was an 18/1 outsider here but belied those odds, running handily and forging to the front in the final two furlongs to win impressively enough for Paddy Power to shorten his odds for the Epsom classic from 50/1 to 4/1.
Both trainer Ralph Beckett and jockey Rossa Ryan, neither of whom have yet tasted Derby success, were clearly relishing the prospect of both the step up in distance and the unique challenges presented by the Epsom track.
“He’s a very well-balanced horse and I’d be reasonably confident he could go around and we’re looking forward to it. I’d have every confidence the trip won’t be an issue,” said Beckett following the race.
Ryan was not as specific about Epsom but clearly holds the colt in high regard. “You’d be getting a bit excited about him, that’s for sure. He’s bred to get a mile and a quarter, and we can dream a bit more with this lad. He’s got a great mentality and he’s got a bright future.”
Supporters of The Lion In Winter can perhaps take solace from the fact that the last two Derby winners, City Of Troy and August Rodin, both trained like The Lion In Winter by Aidan O’Brien, both flopped on their respective races prior to their Epsom triumphs.
If you are a believer he is now 5/1 from 11/4 fav with Paddy Power for the world’s premier classic.
