Dante Stakes Betting Tips – Take the Highest Ground in York Group 2

Exciting Stoute trained colt can complete hat-trick

Highest Ground has won both his starts in the style of a top notch prospect, so looks worthy red-hot favourite to provide trainer Sir Michael Stoute with a seventh success in the 1m 2f Group 2 Dante Stakes for three-year-old colts at York on Thursday (15:15).

This son of Frankel, who carries the two tone blue colours of the Niarchos family made famous by the likes of multiple Group 1 winner Miesque, overcame a slow start on his sole start as a juvenile at Leicester when powering home to beat Macho Boy by 2 3/4 lengths.

Highest Ground won going away in the manner of a potential pattern performer in the making and looked one to keep firmly onside as a three-year-old.

That view was confirmed in no uncertain manner when he made a winning return to action in a seven-runner novice contest at Haydock just over two weeks ago.

After tracking the leaders, Highest Ground looked green and got pushed along when the pace quickened two from home.

However, he responded generously to the urgings of Ryan Moore to take up the running at the furlong maker before drawing readily clear to beat Waldkonig by 2 1/2 lengths.

The runner-up is a well-regarded sort who has previously ran well to finish third to subsequent Group 1 Prix Du Jockey Club winner Mishrif in a Listed contest here and the pair pulled 11 lengths clear of the third home.

That gives the form a strong look and suggests that Highest Ground should be more than capable of winning races at this level before going on to tackle Group 1s.

Cramped odds of 10/11 with BetVictor therefore look fully justified and Highest Ground is fully expected to land the hat-trick en route to better things.

1.

93/100

Rating

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2.

83/100

Rating

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3.

80/100

Rating

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Cormorant feared most in Dante Stakes

All-conquering Irish handler Aidan O’Brien also has a decent record in the race, so that makes his sole representative Cormorant of obvious interest.

This son of Kingman came good at the second time of asking as a juvenile when scoring by a short-head in a seven-runner maiden at Leopardstown.

He then wasn’t disgraced when a 4 3/4 length fifth to stable companion Mogul at the same venue before rounding off the campaign with a second at Chelmsford.

Cormorant comes into this on the back of a career-best effort on seasonal reappearance when gamely getting the better of stable inmate Russian Emperor by half-a-length in a 1m 2f Group 3 Derby Trial at Leopardstown.

The runner-up went on to land the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes before running very well to finish seventh of 16 to Serpentine in the Epsom Derby.

That gives the form a strong look. There was lots to like about the way in which Cormorant responded well for pressure to get the job done.

Like most from the stable, he appeals as the type to go on progressing as a three-year-old and a repeat of his latest effort is sure to see him go well here.

He can be backed at 13/2 with Betfair to go in again, but doesn’t have the same scope as Highest Ground and will arguably need that one to under-perform to do so.

Musidora Stakes Betting Tips – Franconia fancied for Group 3 fillies glory

The other Group race on a cracking card is the 1m 2f Musidora Stakes for three-year-old fillies. Newmarket handler John Gosden has won five of the last nine renewals and Franconia looks to hold leading claims of adding to that tally.

This Khalid Abdullah owned daughter of the mighty Frankel shaped with an abundance of promise on her sole start as a juvenile at Chelmsford back in November when a neck second of 15 to Jeannie B and not given an unduly hard time.

She then showed the benefit of that experience and kind introduction when making an impressive return to action in the Listed 1m 2f Abingdon Stakes at Newbury last month.

After challenging two from home, Franconia took up the running at the furlong marker and quicken clear to easily beat Cabaletta by 3 3/4 lengths.

The runner-up went into the race having beaten Frankly Darling, who won this year’s e Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot, on debut at Yarmouth – so that gives the form a solid look.

Given that Franconia disposed of that rival with the minimum of fuss, it was a most taking performance which said she had a big future.

She is thus taken to land this at the 9/4 on offer with 888sport before going on ply her trade at the highest level,

Dubai Love holds solid each-way Musidora claims

Dubai Love is a tough and consistent sort who looks sure to give it her best shot, so at 6/1 with William Hill makes plenty of each-way appeal.

This Saeed Bin Surroor trained and Godolphin owned daughter of Night Of Thunder has won twice and been placed four times in seven starts.

The last of those successes came in a Listed contest at Meydan back in January, after which she didn’t really live up to expectations in two subsequent starts at the Dubai venue despite hitting the frame on each.

However, there was lots to like about her return to action following a break when a fine third of 15 to Onassis in the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Dubai Love showed plenty of pace to lead until getting headed at the furlong marker and losing second place close home to be beaten 1 1/2 lengths.

It was an excellent effort under top weight of 9st 7lb in what is an ultra-competitive class 2 fillies handicap that often throws up subsequent pattern race winners.

It has earned her a rating of 103, the joint-second highest in the line-up, and Dubai Love now gets the services of the in-form Oisin Murphy in the saddle for the first time.

So taking everything into account, everything looks in place for a bug run and Dubai Love holds claims of hitting the frame at least.