DANZENO will try to take advantage of a 5lb weight advantage when he renews acquaintances with Twilight Son in what is set to be a thrilling Group 2, the Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes at York on Wednesday.

The pair last locked horns in October at Ascot in the Group 1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint, won by star speedster Muhaarar. On that occasion Twilight Son was second, a length and a half ahead of Danzeno in third place.

But trainer Mick Appleby has today given an upbeat bulletin about Danzeno ahead of the five-year-old lining up in a field of twelve chasing the record prize money pot of the £120,000, down the six furlongs.

Appleby said: “He should go well. He is in good order and has grown and filled out again from last year. I expect him to run a big race.

“Looking at the race, I think we’re the one to beat in it, to be honest. As long as it stays on the quick side of good, it would be perfect for him.”

Appleby is hoping that Danzeno, a Group 3 winner to date, can make further progress in 2016.

He added: “I’ve always said he’s going to be better when he’s five and six. So I think it might be his best couple of years now.

“I’ve always thought that he’s a Group 1 horse – I’ve been quite optimistic that he could go and land one this year.”

Twilight Son, at 117, is the top-rated horse in the Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes. Henry Candy’s charge is a proven star, having landed the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock last September, after a course and distance success in June. But the trainer feels the four-year-old may sharpen up for this first run of the campaign.

Candy said: “He has done very, very well through the winter – probably too well. He might need his first run and giving 5lb to some of these, I would think might prove too much for him. But he is in need of a run and loves York, so it’s a great place to start.

“He doesn’t show a lot in his work, he is quite lazy. But I think once he has got a race under his belt and he’s back on level terms and not giving weight away, hopefully we will have some fun. He is one who does like to get his toe in a little bit, so I would prefer a bit of give in the ground.”

Both Danzeno and Twilight Son will be making their respective seasonal bows, but one who has shown fine form in 2016 is Magical Memory – winner of the Group 3 Abernant Stakes at Newmarket. The progressive four-year-old is likely to be sent off favourite in what is sure to be a fascinating clash of classy sprinters.

York’s season-opening Dante Festival runs from Wednesday 11 May to Friday 13 May inclusive.