The highlight on day two of York’s three day May meeting is the Totesport Dante Stakes. Run over a mile and a quarter, the Dante is known as one of the big Derby trials before the blue ribbon event at Epsom in June.

This year’s event lacks a little in numbers, with only six Colts going to post, but it sure makes up for that with quality in the race, with the first three in the betting for the Derby all due to clash in what will be a big pointer towards Epsom.

Aiden O’Brien has won three of the past five Dante’s and this year he relies on Seville, the beautifully bred son of Galileo done nothing wrong as a two year old (winning once and finishing runner up on his other two starts) and will be trained for the occasion by the master of Ballydoyle.

It is however Sir Michael Stoute’s Carlton House that is the selection here, after finishing second on his debut at Salisbury on soft ground, ridden by Ryan Moore, Carlton House then went to Newbury for a maiden and won by an astonishing nine lengths. The sheer distance he put between himself and the rest of the field that day was a joy to watch, and with 2011 being the year of the Royal Wedding, what better way to cap it off with the Queen’s colours getting carried to victory in the Derby by Carlton House.

The other danger will come from Henry Cecil’s World Domination who won impressively at Newbury just over three weeks ago, he will bid to keep his popular trainer and owner in the headlines along with Frankel.

With all that said, at the prices Carlton House appeals most and the 11/4 with Stan James (£25 free bets) is well worth an interest.