York Dante Festival Tips: Day 2 Best Bets & Predictions (2025)

All eyes will be on The Knavesmire on Thursday for the second day of the 2025 York Dante Festival and our horse racing writer has worked his way through the card on Day 2.

Check out the current horse racing betting odds for York with William Hill ahead of what should be another informative day of action for flat racing fans.

2.10pm – 5f Lindum York Handicap  

Blink and you’ll miss the 18 runners thundering down the five furlong sprint course on Thursday, but who will come out on top?   

I’m literally torn between two horses here at decent each-way prices in our horse racing betting, so I am going to suggest backing them both…  

VINTAGE CLARETS is a course and distance winner,  with his last victory here coming in September 2023. He was a decent third in Ripon’s Silver Sprint Trophy three weeks ago and will be well tuned for today.  

JM JUNGLE is technically another course and winner on the Knavesmire. Even though it was a 5½f sprint he won at last season’s Ebor meeting, he was actually leading at the five furlong marker. He looks sure to be in the frame again.  

2.42pm – 1m Hambleton Handicap  

Tim Easterby is enjoying a purple patch at the moment and his York regular CRUYFF TURN can continue his own good start to the season.  

The eight-year-old was last seen finishing a close fourth in the Thirsk Hunt Cup, and any translation of that form to York today, will see him go close.  

Dangers: La Trinidad and Old Cock.  

3.13pm – 1m2½f Middleton Fillies’ Stakes (Group 2)  

Owen Burrows is operating at a 50% win strike rate this past fortnight which leads me to select his four-year-old filly NAKHEEL for this Group 2 affair.  

Nakheel also had the option of the Yorkshire Cup but Burrows has plumped for this race instead which is almost a tip in itself.  

3.45pm – 1m2½f Dante Stakes (Group 2)  

The Lion In Winter is understandably going to be a popular pick with punters for the Dante, but it is the match sharp ALPINE TRAIL who interests me more.  

Godolphin’s Alpine Trail has been rising through the ranks and was supplemented into this Group 2 event after comfortably claiming a Newmarket Listed contest earlier this month.   

With the favourite without a run this season, Alpine Blue may just be able to catch the Derby favourite cold.  

4.18pm – 5f Westow Stakes (Listed Race)  

STAR OF MEHMAS was a three-time winner as a juvenile and can have another exciting season this time around   

A close third in a Listed event at the start of May, will relish the fast conditions back on the turf.  

4.55pm – 6f Novice Stakes  

Lots of unknowns in this race, with my speculative punt going the way of the Richard Fahey-trained SPACEMAN.  

Bought from the Premiere Yearling Sale for £105,000, the Five Go Mad In Malton ownership should by rights have a decent colt on their hands.  

Danger: Wise Approach  

5.25pm – 1m4f Handicap (GBB Plus Race)  

Haydock form tends to stand up well at other venues, and Roger Varian’s RAHIEBB brings some to the table in this 1m4f handicap to close the card.  

The three-year-old was only beaten a neck at Haydock some 19 days ago, and he can improve for the extra half furlong today.  

Check out his latest odds in our online betting market.