Carlton House new Derby favourite after Dante success

A ROYAL triumph in the Derby is now a distinct possibility after Queen Elizabeth’s Carlton House ran out an impressive winner of the totesport Dante Stakes at York yesterday.

The Dante has a fantastic record for producing winners of the blue riband event at Epsom, with last year’s winner Workforce even breaking the mould by getting beaten on the Knavesmire but still winning on the first Saturday in June.

Carlton House had been held up in his home work, first by the unusually dry spring, and secondly when he got some puss in a foot, but he was still towards the head of the betting for the premier Classic leading up to the race.