Authorized faces Dante test

Authorized, ante-post favourite for the Vodafone Derby, puts his Epsom claims on the line in the totesport.com Dante Stakes at York on Thursday.

The Racing Post Trophy winner, who will be making his seasonal debut, is among a field of six in the Group Two contest.

The colt is reported to be in fine shape by his trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam.

“I can’t wait to run! His work has been getting better and better in the build-up,” he said.

“I imagine that he might just need it but I believe he is a serious horse.

“The ground is unlikely to bother him, although we wouldn’t want too much more rain.” he told peterchapplehyam.com.

The going is of concern to John Gosden, who warns that Blue Riband trial winner Raincoat will only run if the ground is suitable.

Michael Stoute has declared both 2000 Guineas failure Adagio and Al Shemali while the field is completed by Roger Charlton’s unbeaten Proponent and Prince Golan, trained by Kevin Ryan.