Dante Stakes 2010

2.40 York
totesport Dante Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (3YO only)
Winner £85,155

Pick: Chabal

Cape Blanco: Made his debut in conditions company as a 2 year old and made it a winning one, fighting on strongly to get the better of decent looking Balgioni; Unbeaten in 2 further starts last year, taking the eye when easily winning Tyros Stakes and then following up in Futurity Stakes; That form gives him every chance but will need run badly and no real strong confidence behind him.

Chabal: Justified good home reputation when accounting for Behereani and odds on Dyansty on debut at Leopardstown before then running big race to finish second in National Stakes at Curragh; Way too free in Dewhurst and much more like it when easily beating Azmeel (who won Dee Stakes in good style next time out) in Bet365 Classic Trial; Will have come on for the run and every chance here.

Circumvent: Entitled to come on for the run when third behind Simon De Montfort in a Group 3 at Longchamp last month; That form useful, as is his Group 3 win as a Juvenile, but one feels he must do better here to take a real hand.

Coordinated Cut: 16/1 chance for Derby before he made his easy winning debut at Doncaster St Ledger Festival and faced a different test altogether when well beaten second last in the RP Trophy (left Peter Champple Hyam after); Undeniably impressive when coming to win sales race by a short head on debut after being practically stopped 2 out, and having had only 3 runs, there could be more to come (will also have improved for run);Another major player.

Workforce: Made highly promising start to career when 6-length winner of 7f maiden at Goodwood on only start, quickening through from rear; That form has been boosted majorly since by second winning big event at Newmarket; Looks sure to improve a lot for step up in trip and major player here, although 3 of 5 rivals do come here race fit.

VERDICT: In an open year, this is a typically competitive renewal of the Dante, with all runners having some sort of claim. Cape Blanco looked like he could be anything at 3 last year but the form of his stable’s seasonal reappearance makes him unbackable. Coordinated Cut was practically stopped in his run in a decent event last time and having come on for the run, must be noted as a major player here. He still fills the “unexposed” bracket for me, but there should be a big show. Workforce looked amazing on debut and the stable form gives another boost, but I was taken with CHABAL when he won the Bet365 Classic Trial and the fact he has had a Group form boost in Azmeel gives a lot of confidence for another big run today, never mind the fact he should be fitter than last time.