York Dante Festival Tips: Day 1 Best Bets & Predictions (2025)

All eyes will be on The Knavesmire on Wednesday for the opening day of the 2025 York Dante Festival and our horse racing writer has worked his way through the card on Day 1.

Check out the latest horse racing betting odds for York with William Hill ahead of what should be an exhilarating day of flat action.

2.10pm – 1m4f Jorvik Handicap

The Kevin Ryan-trained MARHABA THE CHAMP saves his best performances for the Knavesmire and can score yet another course and distance victory.

The six-year-old has rapidly slipped down the handicap following a string of indifferent runs, but a 30 day break and a return to his favourite track, can hopefully rekindle his enthusiasm.

The biggest danger to the selection appears to be from The Reverend representing the Haggas stable that always does well here.

2.42pm – 6f Churchill Tyres Handicap

When TWO TRIBES goes to York a point is all that you can score, says the musically afflicted pundit writing this preview page.

Richard Spencer’s four-year-old showed us he was very much on song when beaten just a head in a three-way go in a 6f Heritage Handicap just eleven days ago, and has to be a major player here based upon that.

Ryan Moore has been booked to ride which is yet another positive.

Dangers include multiple York winner Commanche Falls, plus racecourse stalwart Bergerac for Kevin Ryan. Both horses will be punted on in our online betting market.

3.13pm – 6f Clipper Stakes (Group 2)

116-rated INISHERIN will be a popular pick amongst punters for the Group 2 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes.

Kevin Ryan’s four-year-old colt had a wonderful few weeks last season when he scooted up in the Group 2 Sandy Lane at Haydock, then put the icing on the cake when he landed the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.

If he runs up to that form after his March wind-op, he’s the one they all have to beat.

3.45pm – 1m2½f Musidora Stakes (Group 3)

Ralph Beckett is double-handed in the race, but it is his unbeaten SMOKEN, who makes her seasonal comeback after winning the Listed Montrose Stakes last season, who makes the most appeal.

This daughter of Too Darn Hot will hopefully be exactly that – too darn hot for her rivals.

4.18pm – 7f Conundrum Consulting Handicap

Whilst FRANKIES DREAM is still in form and in rude health, I see no reason to desert him today.

I was in attendance last week at Beverley where he almost landed a Class 4 race over 7½f furlongs. He was running on strongly at the end and he definitely comes into the equation here as an each-way pick in the horse racing betting.

4.55pm – 5f EBF Novice Stakes (Colts & Geldings)

Tim Easterby’s UNDER THE RADAR came on a bundle from his Pontefract debut with a tidy victory at Thirsk on May 3rd.

Experience will be useful in a race of this nature and I can see the youngster doubling up.

5.25pm – 1m4f Getting Out Handicap

Course and distance winner MOLINARI continues to run consistently this season and can get into the mix off a low weight on Wednesday.

Third at Pontefract over 1m2f at the end of April, Molinari will relish the return to 1m4f with the extra emphasis on stamina.