Dante Stakes: runner-by-runner guide and 12-1 tip

Still looked green when third to subsequent 2000 Guineas winner Bow Echo in the Royal Lodge in September, but looked more the finished article when splitting Hawk Mountain and Benvenuto Cellini on testing ground in the Futurity Trophy a month later. Very disappointing, then, that this close relation of Derby winner Lambourn failed to fire when sent off 4/6 (in a first-time tongue-tie) for the Classic Trial on his return to action at Sandown last month, slowly away and wide throughout before plugging on. Has plenty to prove on the back of that, and improvement may not come until stepped up to a mile and a half on that evidence. 

French Group 3 winner who fared best of those behind Raaheeb in the Classic Trial on his reappearance, rallying well for a three and a quarter length third having lost his position slightly with half a mile to run. Appears to be progressing with each start (only made his debut in August) and further improvement looks on the cards, though the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly may be a more tempting target (not entered in the Derby). 

Won a traditionally strong Curragh maiden when beating stablemates Dorset and Ipanema Beach on debut last June, but not seen for the rest of his two-year-old season. Very promising return, therefore, when three and a half lengths runner-up to race-fit Maho Bay in a strong-looking novice (fourth has won since) at HQ last month. This would be a big step up, though. 

Well behind Action on debut but progressed nicely towards the end of the season, following up maiden win at Gowran Park with a gutsy defeat of A Boy Named Susie in the Group 3 Eyrefield Stakes at Leopardstown. Progressed again when ahead of that rival and seven others in the Ballysax on his return last month, made all the more meritous for having to carry a 3 lb penalty. That probably sets the form standard, for this season at least. 

Well found in the market when making an impressive winning debut at Lingfield in the lead up to Christmas, and then fared well behind Maho Bay and Amadeus Mozart at Newmarket last month, especially as he didn’t seem to handle ‘the Dip’ that well before staying on. Flatter track here could suit, and stable had an outsider run very well last year, but would need to take a sizable step forward to feature prominently. 

Big son of Wootton Bassett who produced several notable efforts in defeat last season, including placed efforts behind Gewan in the Acomb at York and Zavateri in the National Stakes at the Curragh the following month. Again caught the eye in defeat on his return behind Christmas Day in the Ballysax, coming from much further back in a first-time hood than those who finished ahead of him, but doesn’t appear to be the most straightforward of rides. 

Exciting prospect who won readily on both starts last term – at Kempton and Bath – but probably remains under the radar due to having to miss an intended run in the Futurity due to unsuitably soft ground at Doncaster. Connections had considered the Classic Trial for his return, but felt he would benefit from more time. Shapes as if this trip will suit and should relish this more galloping track. Big player. 

Followed a tried and tested Godolphin route when running in the 2000 Guineas after a couple of wins at Kempton, but appeared to find it all a bit too much at this stage of his career, travelling well to halfway but then seeming to struggle in ‘the Dip’ and having no answers late on. Not sure to get this far on breeding and this would be a quick turnaround after such a tough race. 

Looked a potential star when dictating to Amadeus Mozart and Guildmaster at Newmarket last month, but flopped badly under different tactics when sent off 11/8 for Lingfield’s Derby Trial at the weekend, held up from his wide draw and never able to get into the race. Fast ground possibly an excuse there, and would be a surprise to see him turned out so quickly here over a shorter trip. 

Something of a slow burner, not making his debut until September last year but then showing a good attitude to overhaul Arabian Desert (beaten at 1/8 since) on the Knavesmire three weeks later. Took another step forward when landing a 14/1 surprise in the Feilden Stakes on his return last month but swerved last week’s Dee Stakes (where he would have carried a penalty) due to ground concerns. Not a standout on form, but not one to take lightly, either. 

Defied a tardy start to make a winning debut over a mile at Chelmsford in December, and then responded well (pushed along five furlongs out to get closer) when again coming home best in the Blue Riband Trial over this trip at Epsom at the end of last month. Clearly progressing, and looks significant that connections don't want to keep their powder dry for the Derby given he’s already shown his worth there. A test of speed here wouldn’t necessarily play to his strengths, but might be good enough to defy it. 

Another who ran in the Classic Trial last month, though his third was arguably worth upgrading considering it was just his second start following a debut win at Nottingham last October (which has thrown up winners), and he was also short of room at a key stage having been heavily restrained by Rab Havlin early on. That run appeared to be as much about experience and teaching him how to settle, and no surprise to see him take a big step forward here and improve past Al Zanati with that run under his belt.

Derby entries can sometimes be a little misleading in the Dante, which, while proven to be one of the foremost trials for Epsom, is a strong race in its own right. John Gosden has a good record, winning it three times (running two horses on each occasion) since first landing it in 1997 with Benny The Dip, and it’s worth noting that his 2015 winner Golden Horn and 2016 winner Wings Of Desire both needed supplementing for the Derby after winning here. Although stablemate Saxon Street may have stronger Epsom credentials, Wise Prince can follow in their footsteps; he only has a length to find with Al Zanati on their Sandown clash and this flatter track should play to his strengths. Of the market leaders, Christmas Day makes the most appeal and his prominent style of racing should see him well placed throughout as he bids to give his trainer a first win since 2010. Item looks the pick of the rest.