Charlie Appleby trained Hurricane Lane boosts Derby claims by eclipsing Aidan O’Brien’s High Definition in Dante Stakes success at York
- Hurricane Lane claimed a three-quarter length win in a Dante Stakes
- The Charlie Appleby-trained winner was cut to 6-1 for Epsom on June 5
- High Definition was again off the bridle three furlongs out on Thursday
Hurricane Lane stated his case for next month’s Cazoo Derby with a three-quarter length win in a Dante Stakes at York on Thursday which failed to deliver the anticipated decisive trial.
The Charlie Appleby-trained winner was cut to 6-1 for Epsom on June 5 after his victory from John Gosden-trained French Derby-bound Megallan.
Back in third, beaten two lengths, was Aidan O’Brien’s High Definition. On the plus side, Ryan Moore’s mount, favourite for the Derby over the winter, performed well despite a disrupted preparation.
Hurricane Lane claimed a three-quarter length win in a Dante Stakes at York on Thursday
But High Definition, now the 9-2 Derby second favourite, was again off the bridle three furlongs out, leaving questions as to whether he possesses the tactical speed to stay close enough running down Tattenham Corner to land a punch at Epsom.
O’Brien’s Bolshoi Ballet remains 6-4 Derby favourite but Hurricane Lane looks a solid challenger and his jockey William Buick said: ‘What this horse has in his locker is that he will improve for a mile and a half and he will stay.’
