Classic clues set to be unveiled at three-day Dante Festival

Dubai: Significant big-race pointers will be on offer as York's three-day Dante Festival kicks-off today at the Knavesmire, the UK's former ‘Racecourse of the Year'.

Godolphin's unbeaten Mandaean figures in the Group Two Dante Stakes tomorrow, as he bids to lay down his credentials for the Epsom Derby which is less than two weeks away. The stable last won the race in 1995 with Lammtarra.

The Dante is an important trial for England's most famous horse race having thrown up nine horses that have won the 2,400m contest en route to achieving glory at Epsom. The ante-post favourite for this year's renewal is Ballydoyle's Bonfire (5/2) but is being seriously challenged on the betting markets by Mandaean (3/1). Fellow Ballydoyle colt Ernest Hemingway is the 5/1 third favourite and Roger Varian's Ektihaam a popular 6/1 choice. Frankel's full brother, Noble Mission, also features among the high-quality entries.

Ektihaam is owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, whose Erhaab completed the Dante-Derby double in 1994.

Right profile

Mandaean looks to have the right profile of a Classic hope. The German-bred colt started his career in France with Andre Fabre and was an easy winner of his maiden at Longchamp in October. But it was on his second start at Group One level in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud that he really advertised his Classic potential pulling away for an impressive two and half length victory. Mandaean is as short as 14-1 for the Derby with British bookmaker Victor Chandler.

The Queen's Carlton House won the Dante 12 months ago before

Meanwhile, today's opening day at the festival features the Group Two Duke of York Stakes and the Group Three Musidora Stakes for fillies.

Godolphin run Soul, the ex-Australian sprinter who was a winner at Meydan during the Carnival, while the Mark Johnston-trained Bannock will carry the colours of Princess Haya Bint Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

There are 14 declared runners for the six-furlong contest on the Knavesmire, including leading fancy Hoof It who is owned by top golfer Lee Westwood.

John Gosden's The Fugue is a 6-4 ante-post favourite to win the Musidora, a recognised trial for the Oaks. Six fillies have won both races including Sariska in 2009.

Commenting on The Fugue's chances Gosden said: "She ran a nice race at Newmarket in the 1,000 Guineas, especially as one ran into the back of her after a furlong or so, which meant she lost her stride for a bit.

In good form

"However, she finished the race strongly and has been in good form since. She lacks racing experience and we are keen to run her to see which route we go down — whether we stay at a mile and a quarter or go a mile and a half. Unfortunately the races come quite close together but I'm happy with her."

The feature race on the final day on Friday is the Group Two Yorkshire Cup where UAE interest centres around the Mahmoud Al Zarouni-trained Opinion Poll and Be Fabulous, while dual Ascot Gold Cup hero Fame And Glory looks to be the main danger.