Top-drawer action continues at York today and although the Dante may be the highlight on the Knavesmire, it is Summitville who looks the best bet of the day in the totepool Middleton Stakes.
The Group Three contest has just six entries and James Given's tough sort boasts far superior three-year-old form to anything else in the extended 10-furlong event and is taken to prevail over the improving Beneventa.
The Grand Lodge filly was beaten just three-quarters of a length when third in last year's Oaks before occupying the same position behind Islington in the Yorkshire equivalent.
Given's charge then rounded off 2003 by chasing home Itnab in a Group Three contest at Ascot, pulling 10 lengths clear of the third horse in the process.
With improvement expected as she matures into a top-class four-year-old, Summitville is napped to power home under champion jockey Kieren Fallon.
The following totesport Dante Stakes looks a much more tricky affair, with Let The Lion Roar, Moscow Ballet, North Light and Rule Of Law all in with claims.
It is, however, David Loder who can take the £84,100 first prize with Andean. Loder introduced the Singspiel colt in a Newmarket maiden last summer and in his only start since, the three-year-old won as he liked in a mile maiden at Yarmouth. It's a big step up to Group Two racing, but this well-bred sort should enhance his Derby claims today.
Soldier's Tale was far from disgraced on his debut at Newmarket last month when runner-up to Fun To Ride and should open his account in the Tadcaster Maiden Stakes.
Meanwhile, Matty Tun, who ran well behind Frizzante last time out, bids for back-to-back victories in the totesport.com Handicap and with Fallon on board looks the part.
