Pride of Arras emerges as leading Derby contender after Dante Stakes triumph
Pride Of Arras’s victory in the Dante Stakes on Thursday has been rated by Timeform as the pick of the performances in the middle-distance classic trials this spring and places him behind only 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court on ratings for the Derby.
The Lion In Winter, one of last season's leading juveniles, was sent off at 8/11 for the Dante to provide Aidan O'Brien with a clean sweep of the key classic trials, but he could finish only sixth behind the much-improved Pride Of Arras, who overcame trouble in running to ultimately register a dominant length-and-a-quarter success.
An ordinary pace until halfway impacted the overall time and means the bare form can't be rated too highly, but Pride Of Arras was value for more than the winning margin given the trouble he met and the ease with which he asserted his authority. His performance has been upgraded and he has been awarded a Timeform rating of 119p. Ruling Court, the highest-rated three-year-old this season following his 2000 Guineas victory, is rated 123.
Timeform reporter Kieran Clark said: "Not only had Pride Of Arras clearly learnt plenty from his debut at Sandown nine months ago, but he appears to have strengthened up appreciably in that period.
"He had to wait quite some time for a path between the leaders, but no sooner had he finally found one than he was in control of the race over a furlong out, and he was far from all out through the last half-furlong."
Pride of Arras is bidding to follow in the footsteps of North Light, Motivator, Authorized, Golden Horn and Desert Crown who all won the Dante and Derby this century.
Desert Crown, the latest horse to do the double, was rated 121p following his Dante Stakes victory.
Clark added: "This puts Pride Of Arras, who is a fine-looking type with bags of scope, firmly in the Derby picture. The longer trip is likely to be within range and the track is unlikely to pose a problem considering two of his dam's first three foals have won round Epsom.
"He has leading claims of becoming the sixth winner of this to follow up there this century and is fully deserving of his place towards the head of the Derby betting."
The Derby (Timeform master ratings):
123 Ruling Court
119p Pride of Arras
118+ The Lion In Winter
116p Delacroix
116 Hotazhell
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Photo Credit: Alamy
