Architect’s pick for the Dante Stakes, one of the betting highlights of the Dante Festival.
Dante Stakes 2024
Traditionally regarded as the most significant trial for the Epsom Derby, this week’s Group 2 Dante Stakes on the Knavesmire at York has attracted seven runners.
Charlie Appleby’s four-time winner Ancient Wisdom, who was last seen winning the Group 1 Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster, is the current market leader (11/8 William Hill).
Let’s take a closer look at the field for this year’s renewal and assess each runner with an analysis, as well as my tips and predictions for the race, to conclude the piece.
Dante Stakes Runners Guide
1. Al Musmak
- Trainer: Roger Varian
- Jockey: James Doyle
- Form: 1212
- Odds: 4/1
This son of the top-class Night Of Thunder did little wrong at two, winning at Ascot and Haydock and finishing second in his other two starts.
The form of each defeat has a solid look about it, given that the winner of each race subsequently finished second and fourth in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. The only question mark is the trip, but if he stays, he must have an excellent chance. Fitness shouldn’t be an issue.
2. Ancient Wisdom
- Trainer: Charlie Appleby
- Jockey: William Buick
- Form: 11311
- Odds: 11/8
Based on official ratings, the Group 1 Futurity winner has at least 6lb in hand of his rivals and has only met with defeat once in five starts.
He beat subsequent Chester winner Never So Brave in the second of his first couple of wins. Despite finishing behind Rosallion and Al Musmak at Ascot, he upped his game in two subsequent starts.
He impressed in winning the Autumn Stakes when beating Chief Little Rock and recent impressive Lingfield Derby Trial winner Ambiente Friendly. He then claimed his Group 1 win on Town Moore when beating a good field, featuring recent French 2000 Guineas runner-up Dancing Gemini.
The step up to a mile and a quarter should suit and he is a worthy favourite.
3. Cambridge
- Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- Jockey: Ryan Moore
- Form: 3124
- Odds: 14/1
Just about opened his account for Aidan O’Brien at Salisbury in September when scoring by a short head, but has been well held in two subsequent starts, including behind Grosvenor Square, who has been beaten since. He should be a lot fitter from his comeback fourth in the Craven Stakes, but he has plenty to find on form and ratings and can be passed over.
4. Caviar Heights
- Trainer: Karl Burke
- Jockey: 421931
- Form: Clifford Lee
- Odds: 5/1
Showed improvement in each of his first three starts when trained by Andrew Balding as a two-year-old, including when he was victorious at Goodwood in early September.
However, he failed to beat a rival home when last at Newmarket in the Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket.
He has quickly returned to form for Karl Burke this season though, with a fine third in the Feilden Stakes prior to posting a career-best winning performance last time out.
This race will require another jolt of improvement, but he’s fit, will be ridden positively, and won’t go down without a fight.
5. Economics
- Trainer: William Haggas
- Jockey: Tom Marquand
- Form: 41
- Odds: 8/1
Shaped very nicely when finishing fourth on soft ground at Newmarket in November and confirmed that initial promise by winning a large-field maiden at Newbury in a reasonable time for the class.
The way he hit the line strongly suggests he should be even more effective over the extra two furlongs, but this is a big jump up in class, and a couple of others should have his measure.
6. God’s Window
- Trainer: John and Thady Gosden
- Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
- Form: 1314
- Odds: 25/1
Looked like a potential top-class prospect after winning two of his first three starts, with a third-place finish in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy Stakes sandwiched in between those wins.
However, he never looked happy at any stage in the Dee Stakes at Chester last week when he looked a spent force a long way from home and ultimately trailed home last of the four runners.
This venue should see him in a better light, and a repeat of his Doncaster third would give him a squeak, but you would have to be disappointed with his performance last time out.
Others arrive in better form.
7. War Rooms
- Trainer: Owen Burrows
- Jockey: Jim Crowley
- Form: 136
- Odds: 25/1
Made a decisive winning debut at Doncaster last July, but he was well beaten third behind Dancing Gemini at the same venue next time out and could fare no better than sixth in the Classic Trial at Sandown on his return. He has his work cut out, so he can be easily dismissed.
Dante Stakes Tips & Predictions
With the strongest form in the book and being the clear top-rated runner in the line-up, I am struggling to see past ANCIENT WISDOM (best price 11/8).
All of his wins have been positively advertised, having beaten subsequent winners Dallas Star (Group 3 winner), Never So Brave (Chester winner), and Ambiente Friendly (Listed winner).
In the latest of his four victories, he beat another subsequent winner in the form of Devil’s Point, as well as Dancing Gemini and Diego Velasquez, who both finished second and fourth in the French 2000 Guineas last weekend.
It is really hard to find any chinks in his armour, and the step up in trip should unlock further improvement, so he’s a confident choice to extend his winning sequence and book his ticket for the Derby in a few weeks’ time.
