Yorkshire Jockeys Horse Racing

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YORK has been a happy hunting ground for trainer Roger Varian in recent seasons and he is hoping for fresh glories on Thursday when he saddles two runners in the feature races.

The China Horse Club-owned Choreographer will be the Newmarket handler’s representative in the £160,000 Betfred Dante Stakes, the Group 2 race renowned as the leading trial for the Investec Derby at Epsom.

A son of Sea The Stars, Choreographer won on his debut seventeen days ago at Windsor, where he travelled strongly before showing an impressive turn of foot to win by two lengths.

That effort and his subsequent work at home have prompted connections to let him take his chance at Group 2 level on Thursday.

Varian said: “I have been very happy with Choreographer since his debut win at Windsor. I was impressed with his performance that day and he is entitled to have come on plenty for it.

“It is obviously a big step up from a maiden to the Dante but he is an exciting colt who we have always thought a lot of. He has shown plenty at home and we feel he deserves to take his chance in this race.”

The Betfred Dante Stakes looks a race to savour with plenty of big guns standing their ground at declaration stage. Among the twelve strong field are current Derby favourite Midterm and Racing Post Trophy-runner up, Foundation.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien has declared Listed winner, Black Sea; as well as Deauville, a Group 2 winner as a two-year-old, who will be making his seasonal bow.

Varian took the Betfred Middleton Stakes two years ago with the classy mare Ambivalent and he has high hopes for the Sheikh Mohammed Obaid-owned Lady Of Dubai in the £110,000 Group 2.

The daughter of Dubawi, now four, brings a high-drawer record from last season – most notably her third place behind Qualify and Legatissimo in the Investec Oaks at Epsom.

Varian added: “Lady Of Dubai is a high-class filly. She had smart form when she came to us and I have been very pleased with how she has trained this spring.

“The Middleton Stakes has been her planned starting point for some time and her preparation has gone smoothly. I think the trip and track at York should be ideal and we are expecting a good run from her.”

A field of eight talented fillies will face the starter including Journey, a dual Listed winner who was Group-1 placed last season and Koora, winner of the Group 3 St Simon Stakes last October when last seen in action.

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