Motivator Primed For Dante Glory

Few juveniles impressed more than MOTIVATOR last season, and he looks poised to reaffirm his credentials for next month's Vodafone Derby at Epsom by landing the totesport Dante Stakes at York on Thursday (2.30).Michael Bell's charge, who currently heads the Derby betting at around the 9-2 mark, has only had two outings to date but created a huge impression on each occasion. After demolishing his rivals in a decent Newmarket maiden last August, Motivator went on to beat Albert Hall by two-and-a-half lengths in the Group One Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster in October where he demonstrated a high cruising speed and a decisive change of gear to quickly put the result beyond doubt when asked for his effort two furlongs out.The ground that day, as it was on his debut, was soft, therefore the prevailing conditions at York - the going is officially described as soft at the time of writing - will hold no terrors for the son of Montjeu.The manner of that victory suggested that the sky is the limit for Motivator, and the vibes emanating from Bell's Newmarket yard are extremely positive, suggesting that Motivator has trained on, and that confidence is high ahead of his participation in this Group Two contest, which is recognised as being one of the most informative Derby trials.Albert Hall has also reportedly wintered well and with the Aidan O'Brien stable carrying all before them, this Danehill colt has to be respected. He shaped as though stamina was his forte last season, therefore he will benefit from the presence of a pacemaker, stable companion Falstaff. However, he will have to have improved an awful lot to turn the tables on Motivator, who beat him with a great deal of authority in the Racing Post Trophy.Proclamation is an interesting contender, who has been attracting solid support in the ante-post Derby betting, and is generally a 12-1 chance. The son of King's Best looked potentially top class when running out an impressive winner of a 21-runner maiden at Newmarket in October, beating Unfurled by three-and-a-half lengths.This represents a big step up in class, but Jeremy Noseda's charge possesses plenty of scope for improvement and it will be interesting to see how he fares.The in-form David Elsworth stable is represented by The Geezer, who followed up a cosy maiden victory at Kempton in March, by easily beating Thunderwing by five lengths in a conditions race at Newbury last month. He appreciates cut in the ground and is not short of speed, but he may lack the class of a horse of Motivator's calibre.Kandidate completes the line up and comes into this race on the back of an outstanding effort in the 2,000 Guineas in which he finished two lengths third to Footstepsinthesand. He has improved markedly since returning from what a largely unsuccessful stint in Dubai and, if he reproduces his Guineas effort here, he cannot be ruled out, although he is far from certain to stay this two and-a-half furlong farther trip, especially on testing ground.