Dante Stakes 2011

2.30 York

totesport Dante Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1)  (3YO only)

Winner £85,155

Pick: Seville (win)

Ashva: The outsider of the field, having won an AW maiden at Southwell in March; Useful horse at his level, but still only third off 79 in a handicap last time, and this expected to prove beyond him.

Carlton House: Promising debut was blown out the of the water by demolition job in 1m maiden win at Newbury, promoting him to loft rank in Derby market; Form of that been boosted by runner up Yaseer (reopposes), who has since won well and come third in Group 3, so credentials underlined and bold show expected today.

Pisco Sour: Showed marked improvement last year, following up two wins with a creditable Classic second to Fury, form which has since been boosted by creditable classic run for winner that day; Not upto Group 1 company on last start and has to step up still here.

Seville: Shaped like a horse of major potential on first two runs and backed that up when run a blinder when chasing home Casamento in Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last October; Should come into his own over middle distances this season, and form has already been boosted; Not hard to expect big run for stable that has won last two renewals.

World Domination: Massive hype thoughought last season and this season, partly based on excellent pedigree, and went some way to justifying hype when winning  1m3f Newbury maiden last month on debut; Promoted to Derby favourite on that and could well justify those claims here (also has fitness edge) but this much tougher.

Yaseer: Made encouraging debut when chasing home Derby hope Carlton House at Newbury in October, before readily landing odds at Kempton on AW (odds-on); Clearly improved as a three year old based on Craven third and can’t be dismissed totally here, for all he’s still behind top three on form.

VERDICT: Given that the form of the 2,000 Guineas might be more deceptive than usual, with a number of horses out on their feet after two furlongs, this is even more vital than usual. The day of reckoning is here for Carlton House and World Domination but both will have to be as good as hoped to get the better of SEVILLE, who sets the standard on his Racing Post Trophy second, comes from a stable in belting form, and promises to be suited by a step up in trip this year.