Motivator faces five in Dante
Motivator, ante-post favourite for the Vodafone Derby, will face five rivals as he makes his seasonal bow in the totesport Dante Stakes at York tomorrow.
The Michael Bell-trained colt is the general 9-2 market leader for the Epsom Classic after putting up an impressive display to win last season’s Racing Post Trophy.
The unbeaten son of Montjeu beat Aidan O’Brien’s Albert Hall, who reopposes tomorrow, by two and a half lengths at Doncaster last October.
Albert Hall, who will also be having his first start of the season, is one of two Ballydoyle runners as Falstaff also takes his chance.
Clive Brittain’s Kandidate will represent Classic form as he steps up in trip to 10 furlongs after finishing third in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket last time out.
The line-up is completed by Jeremy Noseda’s Proclamation, winner of his only start to date, and the David Elsworth-trained The Geezer, who already has two victories to his name this season.
