ITV Racing Tips: Tips For Day 2 Of York Dante Festival Including 40/1 Shot

York's Dante meeting rolls onto day 2 on Thursday 14 May and five races on the Knavesmire will be screened live on ITV. Across the card - which features the eponymous contest of the meeting, the Group 2 Dante Stakes - Joe Napier provides his best bets, including one in the feature.

14:20 York - Lindum York Handicap

With form of 132 on the Knavesmire last season, Air Force One has proven a specialist at the track since joining Geoff Oldroyd. Only ninth on debut for the yard here last July, he had the widest draw that day, which often proves a disadvantage at this track. He was not beaten far though and made amends next time out, before twice being beaten less than a length in big-field handicaps at York over 5 1/2f in August and September. He finished his turf season well-beaten at Doncaster, but was running just six days after his previous run. Lesser efforts on the all-weather since are also easy to forgive, as he won on return at Beverley and was probably value to win by further as PJ McDonald was forced to wait for room. He is up only 2lb for that success, has what appears a good draw in stall 6, and should continue his progress at this track.

14:55 York - Oakmere Homes Hambleton Handicap

Sea Force has obvious chances after his eyecatching third in the Thirsk Hunt Cup. However, at a huge price, Thunder Roar is worth chancing. The seven-year-old may no longer be a natural improver and is only 2lb below his career high mark. That said, he was in the form of his life last autumn, finishing fourth at Ascot, winning at Ayr, then finishing second over course and distance off this rating of 98. The winner that day has since won a Listed race and finished placed at Group 2 level. That form has evidently been franked therefore and two runs this season are forgiven. He needed his first two starts of 2025 before being first past the post (disqualified for causing interference) in the Spring Mile at Doncaster. As such, down to a mark from which we know he can run well, and with any rain in the forecast no issue, he should outrun his odds even in spite of a wider than ideal draw.

16:05 York - Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes

Item could be anything, while Morshdi has proven himself smart enough to compete in a race of this level. His Newmarket form has taken some hefty hits since though, whereas Christmas Day's winning form at Leopardstown has only been boosted. Aidan O'Brien has gone a long time without winning the Dante Stakes, his last victory coming in 2010. This has not often been the Derby trial he has targeted the most, but the selection has the form to end that streak. He may still be down the Ballydoyle pecking order for Epsom, but his pack is stacked so immensely that Christmas Day may have the requisite class to come good here. He completed a hat-trick when winning the Ballysax Stakes on return. In behind that day were James J Braddock, Pierre Bonnard and Endorsement, who filled the first three places in Leopardstown's Derby Trial at the weekend. The son of Camelot carried a 3lb penalty when beating that trio last month and has improved stealthily with every start. The 1m2 1/2f trip is no issue for him and his can be the latest hat thrown into the Derby ring.

16:40 York - British Stallion Studs EBF Westlow Stakes

Revival Power looks dangerous on return and Manatee Mehmas could be anything after a startlingly impressive debut. The vote goes to Aspect Island though, who has the beating of the former on juvenile form and has race fitness on his side. James Owen's runner also has the benefit of the draw, with stall 2 potentially plumb to dictate proceedings. His strike rate of one win from seven starts is poor, but he was a gradual learner as a juvenile. He competed in high class maidens early on and eventually won by 7 1/2 lengths when granted a run in handicap company on his fourth start. He was then beaten less than a length in Newmarket's Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes, with Revival Power fifth, before his best effort yet, a third in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. 1000 Guineas heroine True Love was among those behind him that day and he looked not to see out 6f on return at Newmarket. That run will hopefully prove a useful sharpener for this step back in distance and he looks a Pattern winner in waiting.