Passenger primed to give Stoute Dante win

Passenger can gatecrash the Derby picture with victory in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes at York.

Sir Michael Stoute’s charge had been due to test his Classic credentials in last week’s Dee Stakes, but the testing conditions at Chester prompted the master trainer to rethink his plans and instead reroute to the Knavesmire.

If it was a bold step to move to Listed company with this son of Ulysses following an impressive debut win in last month’s Wood Ditton at Newmarket, it is an even bigger call to tackle Group Two company on his second career start.

However, with the the clock ticking to June 3, Stoute’s hand has been slightly forced.

Passenger posted a likeable performance at Newmarket, sitting handy over a mile before picking up in style, prevailing by three lengths with only the minimum of encouragement and looking as though he will stay further.

The Ulysses colt now switches up to an extended 10 furlongs for this test, with Stoute chasing successive Dante victories following Epsom hero Desert Crown’s strike 12 months ago.

Desert Crown also had just one run on his record before pitching up at York, although he held a Derby entry, which Passenger does not. Perhaps his case is not quite so clearcut as his stablemate in that regard, but he remains a horse of real potential.

Free Wind posted a quite remarkable performance in winning the Lancashire Oaks last term and can make a victorious return from a long absence in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes.

John and Thady Gosden’s mare made relentless progress through the 2021 campaign, winning four of her five starts up to Group Two level, and hopes were high for another good season last year.

Sent to Haydock for a first start, Free Wind endured a nightmare run as she went for a gap on the rail, only for the door to close, causing one of her rivals to give her a heavy bump.

Free Wind looked fortunate to stay on her feet, but the way she recovered from that to eventually seize the lead and win by a cosy two and a quarter lengths was really quite something, with runner-up Sea La Rosa subsequently landing a Group One contest.

The daughter of Galileo sustained an injury in the course of that performance, forcing a long lay-off, but if she retains all her ability, she can shine again here, having run well first time up for the last years.

Silent Words is the choice in the British EBF 40th Anniversary Westow Stakes after an excellent effort in defeat at Hamilton.