Betfred Derby favourite The Lion In Winter is set for a York showdown with Charlie Appleby’s unbeaten Alpine Trail after both were declared for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes.
Aidan O’Brien’s son of Sea The Stars was a winner on the Knavesmire in the Acomb Stakes when last seen, getting the better of James Owen’s reopposing Wimbledon Hawkeye and Appleby’s 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court.
That performance saw him shoot to the top of the betting for the Derby and he now puts his Epsom credentials to the test on his return to action.
Meanwhile, Godolphin’s Alpine Trail has steadily been rising through the ranks and was supplemented into this Group Two event after comfortably claiming a Newmarket Listed contest earlier this month.
A total of 11 colts will face the starter, including Simon and Ed Crisford’s Sea Scout, the winner of Epsom’s Blue Riband Trial, and Raphael Freire’s Tuscan Hills, unbeaten at two and a good winner of a Pontefract Listed race in the autumn.
John and Thady Gosden will saddle Sandown Classic Trial third Damysus and Feilden Stakes third Nightwalker, while Ed Walker’s improving Mister Rizz, Ralph Beckett’s Pride of Arras and Andrew Balding’ Royal Playwright complete the field.
In the supporting Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes the leading Arc fancy Kalpana is a notable omission, with Oisin Murphy now set to partner Andrew Balding-trained stablemate See The Fire.
Also amongst the eight heading to post are Appleby’s recent Newmarket third Beautiful Love, Owen Burrows’ Park Hill Stakes winner Nakheel and Nottinghamshire Oaks heroine Ambiente Amigo.
There is Listed action in the British Stallion Studs EBF Westow Stakes, where Archie Watson’s smart juvenile Aesterius tops nine declarations when making his seasonal reappearance.