TRAINER James Fanshawe is hoping to start The Tin Man’s 2017 campaign in next Wednesday’s Group 2 Duke Of York Clipper Logistics Stakes, the sprint highlight of the opening day of York’s Dante Festival.

The son of Equiano, who carries the colours of Fred Archer Racing, is one of 15 potential runners remaining at the six-day entry stage for the richest ever staging of the six furlong contest, now worth  £125,000.

Fanshawe’s charge is the only runner with a Group 1 penalty in the field, having triumphed in the QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes last October.

He had a number of potential Duke of York rivals behind him that day – notably Brando, who made a winning return in the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting last month.

It has been Fanshawe’s long-term plan to kick-start The Tin Man’s season on the Knavesmire and the Newmarket-based trainer has been pleased with progress this spring.

He said: “The Tin Man has wintered well and the plan is to run at York on Wednesday. He will run as long as the ground isn’t firm, so we are hoping that the track gets a bit of rain between now and then.

“He seems in good form and looks very well. This has been the plan and it is the ideal starting point for him. He likes Ascot so ideally the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot will be on his agenda as well as the other top sprints later in the year.”

Fanshawe has used the Duke Of York Clipper Logistics Stakes as a launch-pad for a top sprinter before. Group 1 winner, Society Rock, was victorious at York in 2013 ahead of finishing second to Lethal Force in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes

In addition to Brando, other entries to note are last year’s winner and second, Magical Memory and Suedois, the latter a Group 3 winner who carries the colours of George Turner and Steve Parkin of the sponsor, Clipper Logistics.

Trainer Charlie Appleby could be triple-handed with Baccarat, Comicas and Jungle Cat all remaining at the six-day entry stage. The second-named of that trio was second on Dubai World Cup night in the Group 1 Golden Shaheen – the latter a close-up fourth in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint on the same card at Meydan.

The opening day of York’s Dante Festival will also stage the Group 3 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes, where smart three-year-old fillies will put their Investec Oaks credentials to the test hoping to become the seventh to do the York-Epsom double.

The Dante Festival runs from Wednesday, May 17 to Friday, May 19 inclusively.

For tickets please call 01904 620911 x 225 or visit www.yorkracecourse.co.uk<http://www.yorkracecourse.co.uk