THE Dante Festival rolls on at York on Thursday and the card is a cracker.
We’ve trawled through the form and put together a race-by-race preview to help you find those all important winners.
DARK SHOT was just touched off in a hot handicap at Epsom on his return to action.
He remains attractively weighted and should be able to weave his way through off a strong pace.
Musselburgh winner Saaheq is the main danger, while Foolaad can go well at a price.
VERDICT: 1. Dark Shot 2. Saaheq 3. Foolaad
The high-class LAH TI DAR should have little trouble making a winning return to action.
She was twice placed at Group 1 level on the back of an impressive victory at this track last season and she should go right to the top this term.
Rawdaa is open to plenty of progress herself, and she is feared most ahead of Nyaleti.
VERDICT: 1. Lah Ti Dar 2. Rawdaa 3. Nyaleti
A brilliant renewal of this race. TOO DARN HOT swept all before him in an unbeaten two-year-old campaign.
He should stay this far and if he is anywhere near his best he will be incredibly hard to beat.
Japan has been mooted as Aidan O’Brien’s best Derby contender, so he demands plenty of respect.
There are several other exciting prospects in opposition, none more so than Line Of Duty, Telecaster and Surfman.
VERDICT: 1. Too Darn Hot 2. Japan 3. Line Of Duty
The progressive BERINGER gained a deserved success at Newmarket four weeks ago.
He will have to up his game again from his career-high mark, but the drop to a mile looks to have been the making of him and he is worth keeping on side at present.
There are any number of dangers in a red-hot race, headed by Hortzadar, Plutonian and Ledham.
VERDICT: 1. Beringer 2. Hortzadar 3. Plutonian
SOLDIER’S CALL enjoyed a fine two-year-old season, winning at Royal Ascot and Doncaster before finishing third in the Prix de l’Abbaye.
He will be hard to beat if he has trained on as a three-year-old.
Garrus has fitness on his side and looks the chief threat, while Charming Kid is better than he showed last time.
VERDICT: 1. Soldier’s Call 2. Garrus 3. Charming Kid
A likely very informative contest in which the markets could prove lively. Aidan O’Brien’s newcomer HONG KONG is certainly bred for the job.
The son of US Triple Crown hero American Pharoah is a half-brother to Group 1 winning sprinter Caravaggio.
When Comes Here shaped with promise when second on debut at Salisbury and he is sure to go well, while Repartee, Story Of Light and Boma Green are others debutants to keep a close eye on.
VERDICT: 1. Hong Kong 2. When Comes Here 3. Repartee
CHAMPERISI is progressing well at a lower level for local trainer Grant Tuer.
She will need to raise her game to win here, but she only just does enough in her races and the handicapper might not have caught up with her yet.
Top-weight The Cashel Man will go well under Oisin Murphy, while Mancini makes plenty of each-way appeal.
VERDICT: 1. Champerisi 2. The Cashel Man 3. Mancini
