O'Brien dominates top-class Dante Stakes

Aidan O’Brien dominates the entry for the totesport.com Dante Stakes at York on Thursday.

O’Brien is responsible for five of the 15 possible contenders for the £150,000 Group Two contest on the Knavesmire.

Among the Ballydoyle quintet is Black Bear Island, who is as short as 12-1 for the Epsom Derby after his unlucky third at Longchamp on his seasonal debut.

Freemantle, Stately Home, Malibu Bay and Rockhampton could also represent O’Brien.

Racing Post Trophy winner Crowded House, trained by Brian Meehan, is pencilled in to make his eagerly-anticipated seasonal bow.

Godolphin’s Kite Wood, successful in the Group Three Autumn Stakes at Ascot last October, and the John Gosden duo of Nehaam and Alwaary are other intriguing entries.

Peter Chapple-Hyam, who won the Dante with subsequent Derby hero Authorized in 2007, may this time go to war with Monitor Closely, eighth in last Saturday’s 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The Queen’s Royal Ascot winner Free Agent, withdrawn from Friday’s Dee Stakes with a bruised foot, Redwood, Sans Frontieres, Glass Harmonium and Native Ruler complete a mouthwatering list of potential runners.

Three Dante winners in the last five years have gone on to win the Derby.