Rekindling set for the Dante

Rekindling will put his Investec Derby credentials on the line on Thursday when he lines up in the Betfred Dante Stakes at York.

Trainer Joseph O'Brien never won the Dante as a jockey but has a sound chance as a trainer with the Ballysax scorer, who was with David Wachman last season.

"We were delighted with his reappearance on his first run for us. He's a quite laid-back horse so it's very hard to know how good he is," said O'Brien.

"He never is a horse that sparkles at home, so you have to kind of take things for granted and look forward to him on the racecourse.

"He won one of the Derby trials in Ireland. At the minute, he has all the credentials to be an Epsom Derby candidate.

"I suppose he has to go to York and show us that he is."

John Gosden is slightly concerned about the proximity between the Dante Stakes and the Derby as he lets Cracksman loose on the Knavesmire.

The unbeaten colt races in the same Anthony Oppenheimer colours as Golden Horn, who pulled off the Dante-Derby double in 2015.

However, there were over three weeks between the races two years ago and this season it is just over two.

"Cracksman has only had two runs in his life," said Gosden.

"The Dante is closer to the Derby than usual due to a late Easter. We've lost a week, which is not helpful.

"On the other hand, he needs the experience to race if we are even to consider Epsom.

"It's the smartest trial, but I still see it as a trial. He came out of his last race and he learnt a lot.

"He has been in good order since."

Richard Fahey's Forest Ranger won the £100,000 Burradon Conditions Stakes at Newcastle, denting some lofty reputations.

"It has been the plan all year for Forest Ranger to go to the Dante," said Fahey.

"We've got a small outside chance. I'm a fraction worried about the trip because he's a horse with plenty of pace,"

Second at Newcastle was Kevin Ryan's Acomb winner Syphax, who also lines up at York.

Ryan told At The Races: "We intended to start in the Dante but when the Newcastle race came up we decided to go, and I'm glad we did because he ran like it was the first run of his life.

"He came out of that brilliantly and his work has improved since."