Elm Park in strong Dante stakes line-up

The Andrew Balding-trained colt won four of five races as a two-year-old, highlighted by victory in the Gr.1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, yet today's line-up is so full of talent he has anything but a straightforward assignment. Regarded as the number one trial for the Gr.1 Investec Derby, the Dante has drawn eight runners including six colts that have live chances in the big race at Epsom next month.

In addition to the Andrea Atzeni-ridden Elm Park they are the John Gosden-trained pair of Jack Hobbs and Golden Horn, the Aidan O'Brien duo of John F Kennedy and Ol' Man River, plus the Barry Hills-trained Nafaqa.

Quoted in today's Racing Post, Balding said: "I want to see him run an encouraging race so we can go to Epsom in a positive frame of mind. It is forecast to dry up a bit, but if he can't handle that we need to find out. He'd be happy making the running, so if there's no one else to do it, it's not a problem."

Qatar Racing is represented by three other runners at York today - Classic runner-up Secret Gesture, who is owned in partnership with Newsells Park Stud, tackles the Gr.2 Betfred Middleton Stakes (14.20), Strath Burn, a partnership horse with Ronnie Bartlett, runs in the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Westow Stakes (16.20) and Blue Humor makes his racing debut in a maiden race (16.50).

Atzeni rides Secret Gesture and Blue Humor, while Jamie Spencer takes the mount on Strath Burn.

Photograph of Elm Park winning the Racing Post Trophy - Dan Abraham