Login
WATCH FREE
Monday tips: Andy Stephens has five selections
By Andy Stephens
Last Updated: Mon 12 May 2025
The Dante meeting has something for everyone, and Thursday’s Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes promises to be a cracker, with The Lion In Winter putting his unbeaten record and Betfred Derby credentials on the line.
If he gets beaten, it will not be because his trainer, Aidan O’Brien, is struggling for form. His golden spell continued on Sunday when Henri Matisse scooped the French 2000 Guineas and Delacroix landed the Derby Trial at Leopardstown - part of a treble at the meeting for him.
O'Brien hit the target with Minnie Hauk, Lambourn, Mount Kilimanjaro and Illinois at Chester last week, plus had the one-two in the Derby Trial at Lingfield on Saturday. Overall, he has had 44 runners this month and 17 have won.
We’ve got some bread-and-butter fixtures to digest on Monday before York gets under way, and O'Brien reloads.
The Racing TV cameras will capture the action at Catterick, Killarney and Roscommon. I’ve got five fancies, starting with:
2.47 Catterick: Marbuzet at a general 11-4
Andy Stephens
Finished: 2ndSP: 13/8
Tim Easterby is averaging almost a winner per day this month and his strike-rate of 19 per cent has rarely been better during the core season. He clearly has his horses further forward than usual.
Marbuzet formed part of his purple patch when edging out Cascade Hall over this trip at Ayr last time, with Zephlyn back in third. The runner-up got the run of things from the front, but Marbuzet always gave the impression he would claw him back when it mattered most.
He’s only been nudged up 1lb and consequently is just 2lb higher than beaten a neck by Animato (when then followed up at Chester) in this race 12 months ago. I'm surprised he's as big as 11-4 to follow up.
It could be that Cascade Hall again provides the main threat.
3.17 Catterick: Lunar Force at 4-1 with Sky Bet
Andy Stephens
Finished: 4thSP: 11/4
The Tim Easterby-trained three-year-old is the only maiden in this field but it’s not as if the opposition (four wins from 32 starts between them) have been the most prolific.
Little went right for her when she made her return/handicap debut at Beverley last week, as she was poorly drawn, left with too much to do and ran into traffic problems when trying to move forwards.
However, she did travel as if in good heart and I’ll be surprised if she cannot take advantage of a mark of 66 sooner, rather than later, with that run under her belt.
She ran well on her two visits to Catterick last year, especially when chasing home J Street on level weights over course and distance in July, despite racing in isolation. The winner subsequently wasn’t disgraced in a nursery off a rating in the low 80s, hinting Lunar Force is on a fair mark.
Where should you or someone you know go if you need support? To find out more click here to head to our dedicated website page.
6.33 Windsor: Havanagreattime at 11-2 with William Hill
Andy Stephens
Finished: 7thSP: 7/2
Those who adhere to the adage of horses for courses will have their work cut out here, as five of this field are course and distance winners.
The one who makes most appeal, notwithstanding track guile, is Havanagreattime, a habitual front-runner who could take some catching up the near side rail from stall 1.
He was swiftly into stride and most resolute when scoring in a swift time at Newbury last time, with a 3lb rise looking fair enough. The grey, chalked up at 11-2, lost his maiden tag when last in action at Windsor (got over from a high draw to make all against the near-side rail), having also ran well on the track on his debut.
Trefor folded tamely on his return at Newmarket but will be a big threat if recapturing the form he showed at Windsor last year.
6.38 Killarney: Blood Destiny at general 15-8
Andy Stephens
Finished: 2ndSP: 2/1
Blood Destiny has been expensive to follow over the past year or so – he’s been a beaten favourite at 7-4 or shorter on three occasions – but this looks a good opportunity for him to get back to winning ways.
He shaped well when third to a couple of stablemates in Grade Two company at Thurles in January after a nine-month break, when looking the likely winner turning in but getting tired, and then was off another three months before finishing a creditable third to Found A Fifty and Saint Sam at Fairyhouse last time.
It's encouraging that he’s back out after three weeks off this time, and the RaceiQ data tells us he’s the most efficient leaper in the field, with his Jump Index score being 8 out of 10. The early 15-8 appeals.
Most of his opponents have been much busier or have questions to answer, including Ash Three Meadow, the highest-rated runner in the line-up who scooped this prize last year.
7.43 Killarney: Lifetime Ambition at a general 11-8
Andy Stephens
Finished: 3rdSP: 4/6
Lifetime Ambition is not much of a price but I'm surprised he's not odds-on because he should take all the beating in this 2m 7f hunters’ chase.
It was only a couple of years ago that he was running off a mark of 158 in the Grand National and he retains plenty of zest, finishing a close third in the Foxhunters’ at Aintree last time after travelling strongly.
This is a much easier assignment for all that Early Doors, who won this prize 12 months ago, is among the opposition. The 2019 Cheltenham Festival looks the one for the forecast.
Vote for the name of the new Racing TV x RaceShare Syndicate horse for Members
Vote for the name of the new Racing TV x RaceShare Syndicate horse for Members
Related posts
2026 Royal Ascot tips: Harry Allwood's five best bets
Five Irish-trained horses to follow at Royal Ascot
Royal Ascot: Five horses to follow on Day One
Monday tips: three each-way selections from Katie Midwinter
Ascot milestone on the horizon for record-breaking O’Brien
Featured offers
Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets with TalkSportBet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 Get £40 in free bets + Money back 2nd to SP fav with BOYLE Sports
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Get a £50 free bet when you bet £50 with Coral
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Get up to a £25 Bonus + 50 free spins with Genting
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Copyright 2026 Racing TV - All Rights Reserved.
Please bet responsibly
Copyright 2026. All rights reserved