The Lion In Winter Returns in Dante

The Lion In Winter (IRE) will make his highly anticipated return to action after being declared for the May 15 Dante Stakes (G2) at York. The 3-year-old son of Sea The Stars (IRE) headlines an intriguing field of 11 for the group 2, a race expected to have a big impact on the betting for next month's Epsom Derby (G1). Unbeaten in two starts at 2, The Lion In Winter has not been seen since winning the Acomb Stakes (G3) at York last August, beating Royal Lodge Stakes (G2) winner Wimbledon Hawkeye (GB) and subsequent Two Thousand Guineas (G1) winner Ruling Court. Ryan Moore rides the Ballydoyle colt, who is the 11-4 ante-post favorite for the Derby ahead of his stablemate Delacroix (IRE), the impressive winner of Sunday's Derby Trial at Leopardstown, and Ruling Court. His opposition at York will include Wimbledon Hawkeye again after his fifth in the Two Thousand Guineas for James Owen, while Alpine Trail (FR) is a fascinating contender for Godolphin. He did not race as a juvenile but is undefeated in three starts this year, most recently winning the Newmarket Stakes by three lengths, and was supplemented for the Dante on Friday. Alpine Trail is not entered in the Derby at this stage. Two others bring unbeaten records into the Dante, the once-raced Pride Of Arras for Ralph Beckett and Raphael Freire's twice-raced Tuscan Hills, a listed winner last season for Amo Racing.