Dawn Approach hardens as Derby favourite after Libertarian Dante shock

Dawn Approach hardened as Derby favourite after 33-1 shot Libertarian won the Dante Stakes at York yesterday.

Middleham-based couple Elaine and Karl Burke became the first trainers from Yorkshire to win the Knavesmire’s important Classic trial since Snowy Gray’s Ballymarais back in 1962.

While Libertarian did not make much of an impact in the Investec Derby market, the man allowed to smile widely was Jim Bolger, who saddled Trading Leather for second but now sees his unbeaten 2000 Guineas winner Dawn Approach as short as even-money favourite with many bookmakers.