Simon Holt: York Dante Festival day two tips

Recommended bets: Simon Holt

2pts win Cracksman in 3.30 York at best morning price (declared NR at 0838 BST

1pt e-w Can't Change It in 4.05 York at best morning price

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In what looks one of the most competitive renewals of the Betfred Dante Stakes for many years at York on Thursday, CRACKSMAN is taken to advertise his Derby claims in a race that has become perhaps the most significant of all the trials for Epsom.

Unbeaten in two starts, the son of Frankel overcame some difficulties in running to gain a narrow victory over the re-opposing Permian in another trial over a mile and a quarter of the Derby course last month, but Frankie Dettori dropped his hands close to the line in the sure knowledge he had got up and, in another 50 yards, it would have been a comfortable win.

Held in by a rival half-way up the home straight that day, Cracksman suddenly had plenty to do off a modest gallop yet, displaying a fine, long stride, he showed a great attitude to beat a rival who has since boosted the form by winning impressively at Newmarket while third-placed Bay Of Poets chased home another Derby contender Cliffs Of Moher in the Dee Stakes at Chester last week.

That winning effort looks a lot better now than it did at the time and, while John Gosden's colt handled Epsom extremely well, it will be surprising if the flatter terrain on the Knavesmire doesn't prove even more suitable for such a taking mover. Easing ground conditions shouldn't be too much of a worry either for Cracksman as his debut win at Newmarket last season came on good to soft while his dam Rhadegunda (by Pivotal) seemed best with plenty of cut.

However, this is certainly another step up in grade for the selection with Exemplar and Rekindling, trained by Aidan and Joseph O'Brien respectively, representing some of the best Irish three-year-old form.

Exemplar, the sole representative from seven Ballydoyle entries, finished a close-up third behind stable companions Capri and Yucatan in the Beresford Stakes at The Curragh last August and that pair finished behind Rekindling in the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown in April.

More recently, Yucatan and Capri were beaten narrowly by another stable-mate Douglas Macarthur in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown, and there seems to be very little between any of these horses.

One who looks far less exposed is the recent Derby gamble Crystal Ocean, a beautifully bred son of Sea The Stars who is closely related to the smart Crystal Capella and a half brother to King Edward VII Stakes winner Hilstar, both also trained by Sir Michael Stoute.

The winner of a Nottingham maiden last month, having finished second in a similar event on his sole start as a two-year-old, this colt must have been burning up the gallops lately. The Nottingham second has won since but Crystal Ocean will need to take a giant step forward and presumably reproduce his home prowess.

In what looks a deep race, Benbatl and Contrapposto, third and fourth behind Eminent in the Craven Stakes, take each other on again while Wolf Country takes another step up in grade after smooth wins at Yarmouth and Saint-Cloud (listed) on his last two starts.

The highly regarded Swiss Storm, who failed to come to hand in time for the Guineas, is another fascinating runner, and another son of Frankel. A really good sort, he went into many notebooks when winning at Newbury (7f good to soft) last September and, despite being from a speedy family on his dam's side, looks the type to stay quite well. Whether he's quite ready for this test, however, remains to be seen.

Earlier, the likely ground conditions should suit So Mi Dar, who will start a short-priced favourite for the Group Two Betfred Middleton Stakes.

Another for John Gosden, this daughter of Dubawi (out of the high class Do Re Mi) won at Epsom in the soft last season before hacking up in the Musidora Stakes ovet this course and distance.

Perhaps So Mi Dar was slightly disappointing when an odds-on third to Speedy Boarding in the Prix de l'Opera on her final start at Chantilly, though it was a muddling pace that day and she didn't get the clearest of runs.

Second favourite Queens Trust improved throughout 2016 and finished off her campaign with victory in the Breeders Cup Filly And Mare Turf at Santa Anita, but her best form has definitely come on a firm surface plus she carries a 3lb penalty.

Also penalised is the smart former South African-trained mare SMART CALL who, now with Sir Michael Stoute, runs for the first time since landing the prestigious J & B Met at Kenilworth in late January 2016, form which has been well boosted by the runner-up Legal Eagle and the long-priced fourth Light Of Lights since.

Off the course since with strained muscles, I understand she has been working well in Newmarket though it would be perfectly understandable if she needs the run and her ability to handle soft ground conditions is an unknown.

Later, CAN'T CHANGE IT looks a decent each-way bet in the competitive Betfred TV Hambleton Handicap.

Trained by David Simcock who sent out Desert Encounter to win on his reappearance at Ascot last Saturday, this steadily improving grey is ideally suited by some cut in the ground and put up a career-best performance when beating recent Spring Cup winner Banksea at Doncaster last September.

A subsequent flop at Leicester was blamed on faster going and Can't Change It won first time out last season at Goodwood.

 Posted at 1102 BST on 17/05/17.