Totesport.com Dante Stakes Preview

Frankie Dettori has yet to ride a Derby winner, a race which is proving as elusive to him as the Grand National is to champion jump jockey Tony McCoy. But with his paymasters Godolphin unlikely to field a credible challenger in this year's renewal of Flat racing's blue riband, the Italian jockey will no doubt have been elated to have been handed the ride on current antepost favourite Authorized. However, before connections' attention is switched to Epsom on June 2, Authorized is out to consolidate his position at the head of the market by landing the Group 2 totesport.com Dante Stakes at York on Thursday when he'll face five rivals, all of whom, with the exception of Prince Golan, also hold Derby aspirations. It goes without saying that Peter Chapple-Hyam's colt, an 11/10 chance with Paddy Power, is the one they all have to beat. But, as I've alluded to in the Derby preview, I am far from convinced that Authorized is quite as good as people are making out. Consequently, my advice is to take on the jolly with Roger Charlton's promising colt Proponent, who can be backed at 29/5 with Bet Chronicle. The son of Peintre Celebre is taking a big step up in class in this mile and a quarter contest on the Knavesmire, but he looked like a horse of massive potential when easily landing a Newbury maiden before making all to slam his rivals by upwards of six lengths in a conditions race at Newmarket which invariably throws up a smart winner. On the face of it, Proponent has plenty to prove against last season's Racing Post Trophy hero Authorized, whom he meets on level terms. Then again, it's easy to get carried away with Group 1-winning form. Indeed, for all that Authorized was impressive in the Racing Post Trophy, and that he is open to improvement, what he actually achieved on the day is open to question. The ground was desperately testing at Newbury on the day of that race, and some of the better fancied horses, notably Eagles Landing and Regime, failed to put their best hooves forward. It may seem as though one is picking at non-existent holes and that Authorized deserves more credit. And, it has to be said, winning a race of that nature on just his second start is an achievement in itself. However, the two that followed him home that day, Charlie Farnsbarns and Medicine Path, are Listed class at best, so the status of the race wasn't, I think it's fair to say, reflected in the quality of those that contested it. As such, at the prices, Authorized is well worth taking on with Proponent. Adagio looked a horse going places when overcoming trouble in running to readily account for his rivals in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket on his seasonal reappearance. While his effort when sent off favourite for the 2000 Guineas back on the Rowley Mile was essentially disappointing, it's way too early to be writing the Grand Lodge colt off. His stablemate Al Shemali looks up against it at this level, a remark which definitely also applies to Prince Golan. Raincoat, on the other hand, is not without a squeak. John Gosden's charge is unbeaten in his two career starts to date and, if he handles Thursday's going which will be softer than anything he's previously encountered, he should be thereabouts. Verdict - 1.25pts Proponent @ 29/5 (Bet Chronicle)