YORK

2:40 TOTESPORT.COM DANTE STAKES (GROUP 2) (CLASS 1) (3yo) 1m2f

CENTENNIAL 9-0 ~ Progressed with every run so far and despite the winning margin he never really looked like getting beaten when winning the Group 3 Classic Trial at Sandown on his reappearance. Form of that race can be picked at but he was said to be in need of the run so today looks like the acid test. His finest 2yo effort came in the Group 3 Prix Thomas Bryon when chasing home Thewayyouare. On form lines that leaves him with ground to find on Twice Over but he has a progressive profile and has to be respected given his trainer.

FROZEN FIRE 9-0 ~ Out of a Woodman mare and sired by Montjeu so likely to have plenty of his own ideas about the game given his family. Made only two starts as a 2yo and showed little form to shout about. On debut he won a weak Gowran Park maiden before finishing well down the field in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy. Did start 3rd favourite for the latter and is bred to be better over middle distances so that gives hope that the horse will improve. However no positive vibes in todays market or the Derby so given how much he will need to improve he can be passed over, which is always dangerous given connections.

MCCARTNEY 9-0 ~ The best of these as a juvenile and ran away with the Group 2 Champagne Stakes. That subsequently hasn’t been made to look a great renewal and on a form line through Alexander Castle he has to improve to beat Twice Over. He went on to be well beaten in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes and despite the ground being softer than ideal it was still a disappointing performance. The overall impression is that he is a good colt but short of top class so he has to improve. He has switched yards over the winter and the Godolphin runners have been performing better recently. Bred to appreciate this step up in trip and todays fast ground is ideal so no concerns regarding race conditions. However he has to prove his fitness and whether he has trained on. An interesting 3yo but there are plenty of reasons to be put off backing him.

TARTAN BEARER 9-0 ~ The same price as Tajaaweed in the Derby market but that performer has already won the Group 3 Dee Stakes this year. Tartan Bearer must be highly thought of given he has only broken his maiden. That maiden win was recorded with considerable ease at Leicester last time out. He is sure to come of for that run and is an obvious improver from a shrewd yard. He is a full brother to Golan who won the 2000 Guineas after only one run in a maiden and not unreasonable to think Tartan Bearer could be a high class animal despite his inexperience.

TWICE OVER 9-0 ~ Not dissimilar profile to Tartan Bearer before winning the Group 3 Craven Stakes on his reappearance. Battled back well to beat Raven’s Pass who is looking like a mile is as far as he wants to go. Twice Over however looks like he’ll have no problem staying the extra 2 furlongs in todays race. The form of the Craven looks strong with the front two pulling clear of a decent field and Raven’s Pass finishing 4th in the 2000 Guineas. Only concern is the fast ground but difficult to believe the horse won’t handle it given all the horses form has been on good ground. Difficult to find faults in the horse and his class is there for all to see.

YOUNG PRETENDER 9-0 ~ His sire Oasis Dream raises serious doubts about his ability to stay 10f given he was a sprinter. Plenty of hope on the dams side however so it will be interesting to see how he performs over todays trip. He was with John Gosden last season and makes his debut for Godolphin and on jockey bookings he looks the yards first string. He had plenty of ability as a 2yo but he needs to improve and has to prove he is fit and has trained on. Plenty of question marks hang over his chances and a risky betting proposition.

CONCLUSION

Twice Over is a solid favourite given his stand out form and that half of todays runners may just need the run. John Gosden should have a good idea how Centennial fares against the favourite but he needs to improve on his last run. Considerable improvement is needed from Tartan Bearer but his profile is one of a horse with a bright future. So a chance is taken on Sir Michael Stoutes Tartan Bearer to follow in his brother Golans footsteps.

1pt WIN – TARTAN BEARER @ 8/1

RESULT

TARTAN BEARER 1st = +8pts