Bonfire is the 2/1 favourite with the sponsors for Thursday’s Betfred Dante Stakes at York after a total of seven colts were declared for the Group 2 contest.
Andrew Balding’s three-year-old had been due to run in last week’s Dee Stakes at Chester but was withdrawn from that race because of the soft ground. Mandaean is the 9/4 second-favourite with
Betfred and he will be making his seasonal reappearance for Godolphin having taken the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud on his final start as a juvenile.
“The Betfred Dante Stakes is always an informative trial and whilst the winner of this year’s renewal is highly unlikely to head to Epsom as favourite, it’s almost certain that they will be the main market rival to current jolly Camelot,” said Betfred spokesman George Primarolo.
Camelot’s once-raced stablemate Ernest Hemingway is next in the market at 9/2 whilst Ektihaam has been priced up as a 7/1 shot. Fencing, Dream Tune and Ptolemaic make up the septet at 7/1 and 33/1 (twice) respectively.
The sponsors have also priced up some special Dante/Derby doubles and make Bonfire a 20/1 shot to win at York on Thursday and go on and win the Epsom classic. Mandaean has been priced up at 22/1 to do the same.
Duke Of York Stakes – Betfred bet: 4 Hoof It, Mayson; 6 Society Rock; 8 The Cheka; 12 Definightly, Elnawin, Restiadargent; 14 Sirius Prospect; 16 Bogart, Libranno, Soul; 25 Bannock, Doncaster Rover, Tiddliwinks.
¼ 1-2-3
Betfred Dante Stakes – sponsors bet: 2 Bonfire; 9/4 Mandaean; 9/2 Ernest Hemingway; 11/2 Ektihaam; 7 Fencing; 33 Dream Tune, Ptolemaic.
¼ 1-2
Betfred Dante Stakes/Investec Derby Doubles – Betfred bet: 20 Bonfire; 22 Mandaean; 50 Ernest Hemingway; 66 Ektihaam, Fencing.