Crowded House faces nine rivals in strong Dante field Crowded House will face nine rivals including the Aidan O'Brien-trained pair Freemantle and Black Bear Island in Thursday's totesport.com Dante Stakes at York. Brian Meehan's Racing Post Trophy winner is as short as 5/1 for the Investec Derby, and will make his seasonal reappearance on the Knavesmire. 'Crowded House had a nice breeze yesterday, and he continues to please us in his build-up. He remains on course for the Dante, and we are really looking forward to the race. The Derby is shaping up into a very good race this year,' said Meehan. 'Crowded House has always had the Derby as his target, and we will see how he gets on,' the Manton handler said on his website. Ballydoyle is assembling a strong team for Epsom having won three Derby trials in the last week with Golden Sword, Age Of Aquarius and Fame And Glory. Johnny Murtagh will ride Freemantle, while Black Bear Island is the mount of Colm O'Donoghue. Goldolphin take the wraps off the exciting Kite Wood, formerly with Michael Jarvis, while the unbeaten pair Nehaam and Redwood add further strength in depth. Glass Harmonium, Native Ruler, Craven Stakes runner-up Sans Frontieres and the Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained Monitor Closely complete the classy field. The Queen's Free Agent has swerved the race in preference for a trip to Goodwood next week. Having been withdrawn from last Friday's Dee Stakes at Chester with a bruised foot, Richard Hannon's Derby hope is instead likely to run in the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes. Sponsors (Tote) bet: 6-4 Crowded House, 6-1 Freemantle, Kite Wood, 7-1 Redwood, 10-1 Sans Frontieres, 11-1 Nehaam, 14-1 Black Bear Island, 16-1 Native Ruler, 20-1 Glass Harmonium, Monitor Closely.
