Dante Festival Lucky 15: Four Horses For A Thursday Acca

York’s Dante meeting continues on Thursday afternoon and the action includes the big race itself, the Group 2 Dante Stakes. It’s one of three cracking days of action on the Knavesmire and the card runs from 14:15 to 17:20 on Thursday.
This is our Lucky 15 for the action including a couple at each-way prices that look capable of outrunning their odds.
14:15 York - Lindum York Handicap
The opener looks mightily competitive but one horse that seems sure to go well is Marine Wave.
This now-four-year-old progressed last season and she was only narrowly denied in a valuable fillies’ handicap at the Ebor meeting when unlucky in running. She also looked a tad unfortunate when gaining some valuable Black Type at Ayr, finishing third in Listed company.
She was probably done for the year when a disappointing favourite at Beverley at the end of the campaign and it’s worth forgiving her reappearance run at Musselburgh.
Expect her to strip fitter here and the strong pace likely in this contest should really play to her strengths.
Selection: Marine Wav
14:45 York - Hambleton Handicap
Another competitive handicap but one that can go well is Blue For You for David O’Meara.
He’s got a cracking record at York and his form figures on the Knavesmire are 221510 and all are over the one mile trip.
He wasn’t beaten far when fifth in this contest last year despite not getting an ideal run through and wind surgery since he was last season may help him return to form.
Selection: Blue For You
15:45 York - Dante Stakes
It’s hard to get away from the claims of Ancient Wisdom for this year’s Dante Stakes. He was highly progressive as a juvenile, looking like a top prospect when winning his first two starts over seven furlongs and he bounced back from a blip at Ascot to win twice at Group level in the Autumn.
The latter of those came in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy and that is an effort worth marking up given that he didn’t appear to be in love with the ground that day. He’s always given the impression that middle distance trips will be his thing and he’s achieved a fair amount more than the remainder of his rivals.
Connections said that he’ll be one for further this year and he sets a solid standard in his bid to enhance his Derby credentials.
Selection: Ancient Wisdom
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17:20 York - Collective Green Energy Handicap
London City is an interesting runner in the finale on the card. The Irish raider seemingly progressed plenty from two to three when landing a Dundalk maiden in good style and there’s every chance he will improve for further now given the way he shaped that day.
An opening mark of 93 looks on the lenient side and he could take some beating on handicap debut for Aidan O’Brien, who has a good record with his runners at York.
Selection: London City