Economics adds up for Dante delight but Derby picture left murkier than ever | Horse racing

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The Dante Stakes, the last recognized Derby trial before the Classic on June 1, had the clear winner everyone had turned up hoping to see on Thursday, but with one major caveat that left the ant-post market murkier than ever.

Economy, a great chestnut trained by William Haggas, surged to the leaders and then sped six lengths clear of Ancient Wisdom, one of last season’s best juveniles, a performance which one bookmaker suggested would be more than enough to made him a definite Derby favorite – had he not been taken out of the race at the second stage of entry last month.

There is, of course, an additional stage six days before the Classic when it will be possible for Economix to return to the field in the Derby, and the £75,000 fee is likely to be just a minor irritant for the colt’s owner, Sheikh Isa Salman Al Khalifa, who collected £110,000 from the Economics win here on Wednesday.

But the mood music from Maureen Haggas, the coach’s wife and assistant, was surprisingly muted given the authority of Thursday’s victory.

The economy was bleeding from his nostrils as he rose, but Hagas was adamant that it was “not an issue” to worry about. His size, inexperience and stamina – he is a son of 2,000 Guineas winner Night Of Thunder – have all been mentioned as potential reasons why he could be targeted around Epsom, and while Coral have listed him as 10-1 favorite for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October, City of Troy, who beat just two opponents at home when favorite for the 2,000 Guineas earlier this month, remains the firm’s 5-2 Derby favourite.

Hagas is known for allowing horses to develop at their own pace and his patience has been richly rewarded many times in the past. At the same time, though, six-length Dante winners don’t come along too often, and while it has spawned many imitations, next month’s race is called the Derby for a reason.

“We took him out because we didn’t think he was going to stay and I’m still not sure he will,” Maureen Hagas said. “He’s handsome, but he’s still a baby. I think the more he races the more involved he will become and 10 furlongs will be his best trip. I thought he looked a bit all over the place in the final furlong, he’s a big horse and it’s only his third race. You have to be on to go around there, that’s a big requirement for any horse, and he’s an inexperienced, big baby.

Two of Dante’s last 10 winners – Desert Crown and Golden Horn – followed in the Derby, but several others instead proved themselves at Group One level later in the season in races including the Irish Derby, Irish Champion Stakes and Eclipse.

Andesite and Daniel Tudhope (far right) come home to win the Novice Stakes. Photo: Mike Egerton/Pennsylvania

“The derby is what we all want to win,” Hagas said. “We were lucky enough to win it once [with Shaamit in 1996] but it was so long ago, I’ve almost forgotten what it was. We would love to win him again but we have a very nice horse and there are a lot of other nice races to win and we have to make sure he stays a nice horse and that has to be the priority.”

Meanwhile, Ancient Wisdom could still join stablemate Arabian Crown, the current second favorite for the Derby, in the field at Epsom.

“I think it really depends on how much he progresses from it,” said Charlie Appleby, who trains both colts for the Godolphin operation. “A mile and a half will definitely be his trip. I think right now Will [Buick] would have work to do to get off the Arabian Crown, but if that horse goes out and does a decent job it could be a different game.”

Mullins for the cup with Vauban

Having just become the first Irish-based trainer to win the UK Jumping Championship since 1954, Willie Mullins turns his attention to the Flat on Friday when Vauban (3.45)the beaten favorite in last season’s Melbourne Cup, lines up for the Group Two Yorkshire Cup on the final afternoon of the Dante meeting at York.

Vauban made his name over jumps, completing a Grade One treble as a four-year-old that included the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, but he also showed very useful form after switching codes last year on the Flat last year.

A wide-margin success as even-money favorite for the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot was followed by a Group Three win at York and while his stamina looked stretched by the two-mile trip at Flemington in November, Friday’s mile-and-three-quarters of Knavesmire looks perfect.

York 2.15 Carl Burke has won the last two runs of this race for young fillies and Kaadi, from the decent time mark at Windsor last month, could be the pick of his three runners.

Newbury 2.30 After racking up four wins last summer, A gallant lion looked set for another productive season when he finished a close third on debut for Alan King at Newbury last month and he remains on a workable brand.

A quick guide

Greg Wood’s Friday Tips

show

Newbury

2.00 Darvel

2.30 Gallant Lion

3.00 Diligent

3.30 Jaraaf

4.00 Watchmaker

4.35 Trouville

5.10 Nilufar

5.40 Rising Predator

York

2.15 Kaadi

2.45 Qaasid

3.15 Blue Thunder

3.45 Vauban (nap)

4.15 Under Siege

4.45 Tropez Power

5.20 Jubilee Walk (nb)

Newmarket

2.23 Dakota Power

2.53 T’Challa

3.23 Skukuza

3.53 Gold Medalist

4.25 Iron Lion

4.55 Giorgio M

Hamilton

5.30 Sixcor

6.05 Up The Clarets

6.40 Catherine Chroi

7.15 Theory of capital

7.50 Crystal Clear

8.25 Persian Phoenix

9.00 Ski Angel

Aintree

5.45 Roaring Legend

6.20 Raffle ticket

6.55 Petit Tonnerre

7.30 Kinondo Kwetu

8.05 Space Journey

8.40 Prophecy

Thank you for your feedback.

York 2.45 of Kaasid last month’s Newbery win was a matchup for everything in his career so far, and Julie Camacho’s gelding looks overpriced at around 16-1.

York 3.15 Devoted Queen was left in the 1,000 Guineas until the five-day stage and could end up just above that field, but her naked form so far does not deserve such a low price and bright thunder, winner of five matches on debut, could be a worthwhile alternative at the likely odds.

York 4.15 Under siege ran a good race on debut behind Economy – Thursday’s winner Dante – last month and has a clear chance to get off the mark.

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