THE LION IN WINTER is fancied to take control of the Betfred Derby market with a winning return in the Group 2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes (3.45) at York on Thursday.
Aidan O’Brien’s son of Sea The Stars was kept off the track by a couple of minor setbacks after adding to a debut success at the Curragh in July with a length-and-three-quarter margin from Wimbledon Hawkey in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes here the following month.
But those performances stamped The Lion In Winter as a colt of great potential, and Ryan Moore’s mount is expected to deliver on that two-year-old promise.
Moore looks on course for an TV double, capped by STAR OF MEHMAS in the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Westow Stakes (4.18).
Andrew Balding’s Kalpana is absent from her intended return in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies' Stakes (3.13), but the Group 2 prize should go to Kingsclere courtesy of SEA OF FIRE.
Earlier on the card, OLD COCK is expected to thrive for the return to fast ground in the Oakmere Homes Hambleton Handicap (2.42), while VANTHEMAN should benefit for coming back to five furlongs for the opening Lindum York Handicap (2.10).
At Salisbury, the hat-trick beckons for the Ed Walker-saddled MEDIA MOGUL in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai "City Bowl" Handicap (2.25).
THURSDAY'S SELECTIONS
YORK
2.10 VANTHEMAN
2.42 OLD COCK (NB)
3.13 SEE THE FIRE
3.45 THE LION IN WINTER
4.18 STAR OF MEHMAS
4.55 JAN STEEN
5.25 ANNIVERSARY
SALISBURY
1.55 THUNDEROUS LOVE (NAP)
2.25 MEDIA MOGUL
2.58 CHARLIE BOYO
3.30 JAGETME
4.03 GLADIUS
4.40 PRINCESS RASCAL
5.15 VAN AERT
PERTH
2.18 THE LAST CLOUD
2.50 KANDOR
3.21 WASDELL DUNDALK
3.53 JUST DOTTIE
4.27 STUMPS OR SLIPS
5.02 ZHANMA ENKI
FONTWEL
5.35 SHE IS FOR ME BOYS
6.10 MOUNT OLYMPUS
6.40 CEEJAYBE
7.10 ROCKOLA
7.40 ROCKS UP LATE
8.10 THE BOSS BEAR
KEMPTON
6.00 WAY OF LIFE
6.30 GALLIVANTED
7.00 SEA POETRY
7.30 WARRNAMBOOL
8.00 POWDERING
8.30 ARCTIC DAWN
9.00 MOEL ARTHUR
DOUBLE: THUNDEROUS LOVE and OLD COCK
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