Ballydoyle five in Dante Aidan O'Brien has five of the 18 confirmations for the Betfred Dante at York on Thursday. The Ballydoyle handler has confirmed Black Sea, Bravery, Claudio Monteverdi, Deauville and Shogun, but the latter runs at Leopardstown on Sunday. Midterm is the stand-out horse in the Dante. With O'Brien's US Army Ranger a little uninspiring at Chester on Wednesday, Sir Michael Stoute's regally-bred colt is the new ante-post favourite for the Investec Derby at Epsom after he won the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown so handsomely. Stoute has also left Ulysses in the Group Two over a mile and a quarter. Foundation had been at the head of the Derby market but needs a big performance on the Knavesmire after suffering odds-on defeats in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster and on his return to action at Newmarket. His trainer John Gosden could also saddle Wings Of Desire. Kentuckyconnection finished fifth at big odds in the 2000 Guineas and could run for Yorkshire trainer Bryan Smart. Choreographer impressed on his Windsor debut and has been given the option by Roger Varian, while Muntazah posted some good efforts as a juvenile and has been intentionally targeted for the Dante by Owen Burrows. Carntop, who runs at Lingfield on Saturday, Gunnery, Harrison, Sea Of Flames, Top Beak and Victory Bond complete the list.
