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Dante Stakes: runner-by-runner guide and 12-1 tip
By Nic Doggett
Last Updated: Thu 18 Jun 2026
Desert Crown was the last horse to achieve the Dante/Derby double in 2022 - is there another potential Classic star in Thursday's Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes at York? Nic Doggett takes a look at the eight contenders.
*This column was first published on Sunday, May 10
1. ACTION
Frankel – Gossamer Wings (Scat Daddy)
T: Aidan O’Brien. Best odds: 10-1
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.
2. AL ZANATI
Dubawi – Divine Image (Scat Daddy)
T: Charlie Appleby. Best odds: 12-1
French Group Three 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).
3. CHRISTMAS DAY
Camelot – Beauly (Sea The Stars)
T: Aidan O’Brien. Best odds: 5-2
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 Three 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 3lb penalty. That probably sets the form standard, for this season at least.
Christmas Day battled hard to win the Ballysax Stakes
4. GUILDMASTER
Teofilo – Gearanai (Toccet)
T: John & Thady Gosden. Best odds: 18-1
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.
5. ITEM
Frankel – Capla Temptress (Lope De Vega)
T: Andrew Balding. Best odds: 6-1
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.
6. KING’S TRAIL
Sea The Stars – Crown Walk (Dubawi)
T: Charlie Appleby. Best odds: 9-1
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.
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7. MORSHDI
Dubawi – Into The Mystic (Galileo)
T: William Haggas. Best odds: 100-30
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.
Morshdi won the Feilden Stakes impressively
8. WISE PRINCE
Ghaiyyath – Militate (Oasis Dream)
T: John & Thady Gosden. Best odds: 10-1 (advised at 12-1 on Sunday)
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.
Part-owner Rachel Hood, wife/mother of the trainers, spoke to Racing TV after Wise Prince's debut win
Verdict
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.
1 WISE PRINCE. 2 CHRISTMAS DAY. 3 ITEM.
Nic Doggett
Finished: 8thSP: 10/1
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