Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Damysus value against O’Brien’s Lion in the Dante

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews the ITV races from York, including the Group 2 Dante Stakes.

York, Thursday

SPARTAN ARROW is the pick in the opener on Day Two of York’s May meeting (2:10pm). He ran a terrific race in this last year for one so inexperienced, despite fluffing the start, and his new trainer is mustard at improving this type of horse and maintaining their progression. There are some old lags in here, but this newer inmate has fewer convictions and can have a good stab at this.

SISYPHEAN makes most appeal in the next (2:42pm). A fine looker with a good pedigree, he hasn’t raced loads in his first two seasons and has quite a bit of potential to improve. The wind op appeared to work last year, but his final run came on very soft ground, which he won’t have enjoyed. Better judged on earlier efforts, including here, he has more to offer, especially with Ryan Moore to help.

NAKHEEL can surprise a few in the Middleton (3:13pm). She’s only a couple of pounds below the top rated, and I wasn’t enamoured with either of the comebacks of the market principals, for all they’re entitled to come on for those. The selection looked slow to learn last year, and was campaigned latterly over further, but she’s bred to keep getting better, and the trainer is insistent that she is working with more zest and pace this year.

DAMYSUS could be a nice each-way play in the Dante (3:45pm).  The Lion In Winter has much the strongest credentials, and could hardly have been more impressive in the Acomb here (exceptionally good edition). There’s every chance he wins this and the Derby, but you’d have to be wary about launching into one at short odds who has been off quite so long and who is forced to contest a race that is hardly the trainer’s favourite trial. As such, betting biggish odds to get one in the frame appeals, and Damysus was given a lovely seasonal intro by William Buick, doing particularly well to close off given the way the race was run. As that was just his second start, expect a good bit more in the locker from this fluent-moving and flashy son of Frankel. This galloping track will suit to a tee.

TROPICAL STORM can build on his comeback to take the Westow (4:18pm). He was out the back in a typical Rowley Mile pace-dictated affair last time, running on quite nicely, but never nearer. If that has sharpened him, he should be a tough nut back at the scene of his greatest triumph from what might be a very good draw.