Four Winds blowing towards Dante Stakes

Michael Bell’s colt Four Winds is set to test his Derby credentials in the totesport.com Dante Stakes at York later this month.

The British Queen-owned son of Red Ransom won once from three starts as a juvenile but left connections slightly disappointed when second to High Heeled on his return to action at Newbury.

John Warren, racing manager to the Queen, said: “On the day, there was natural disappointment over Four Winds getting beaten at Newbury because we would have hoped that if he was top-notch then he should have been able to beat that field.

“They were a nice bunch of horses but, if you are a Group One horse, you should deal with them pretty comprehensively.

“Having said that, there were a couple of things against him on that occasion, particularly the ground which was Michael’s main concern.

“None of us like making excuses for horses but he doesn’t want that type of ground again.

“We have two options with Four Winds. We could run him in a mile conditions race, which is too short for him, but there are no 10-furlong conditions races between now and Epsom.

“Alternatively, we could run him in the Dante and find out where we sit in relation to the other Derby contenders.

“Although we wouldn’t expect him to win after his last run, it would help us guide us as to his future races.

“So the Dante is the preferred option as long as the ground is not too soft.”

While Four Winds is set to put his Derby credentials on the line at York, another of the Queen’s Epsom contenders, Free Agent, could make his seasonal reappearance in the Group Three Dee Stakes at Chester next Friday.

The race has previously been won by Oath (1999) and Kris Kin (2003), who both went on to Derby glory.

Free Agent has been off the track since recording an impressive victory in the Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot after a chipped hock ended his season.

“A decision about where we start off the season with Free Agent will be made early on next week and there is a probability that he will go to Chester for the Dee Stakes,” Warren continued.

“He chipped a little flake off one of his hocks last season and there was no point in hurrying him back. He has taken his time over the winter to get his coat and was behind some of Richard’s horses because we didn’t need him to be a 2,000 Guineas horse.

“I am hoping that we are all set for the Dee Stakes next week.”