The 2023 staging of the Dante Festival looks set to be another classy affair, after 176 top-class horses made their entries for the four Group 2 contests.

The Pattern race gets underway on Wednesday 17 May when the sprinters head to post in the 1895 Duke of York Clipper Stakes. The defending champion and also reigning G1 Coolmore Nunthorpe winner, Highfield Princess, heads a powerful Yorkshire based contingent for Malton based John Quinn. Art Power (Tim Easterby) and Marshman (Karl Burke) are others in the 10 strong white rose contingent. The sponsor will be hoping the Fresh, trained by James Fanshawe, will se him collect his own trophy. A pair of G1 winners from Ascot, Oxted and Creative Force add further depth to the six-furlong field. The intrigue comes from the highly anticipated UK debut of Australian talent, The Astrologist who was last seen in a podium finish on Dubai World Cup night.

A Group 2 double-header on Thursday 18 May means Classic hopefuls in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes and proven top end fillies and mares in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Stakes. Proving the former point, the entire top ten in the betting markets for the Epsom Derby are set to contest a race that has produce a dozen double winners to date, including Desert Crown last season. Market favourite, Auguste Rodin merits that lofty status after an impressive G12 win at Doncaster last October, whilst fellow Irish star, White Birch is one who has made a fast start to 2023 with an eye catching G3 win.

Leading thoroughbred of the female persuasion targeting the G2 Middleton include Emily Upjohn who was successful over course and distance in the Tattersalls Musidora of 2022 before a literal stumble at the start cost her the Epsom Oaks. Likely to be partnered again by Frankie Dettori as the Italian maestro embarks on his farewell season on the Knavesmire. Above the Curve, Nashwa and Prosperous Voyage have all succeeded in Group 1 races, setting the stage for a memorable renewal, if all stand their ground.

The final day of the Festival brings the stayers to the fore in the Boodles Yorkshire Cup. A race dominated , as were so many others, by the recently retired Stradivarius meaning the Cup will be lifted by a new champion. All of Coltrane, Quickthorn and Haskoy have recorded significant previous wins at York and may face the reigning St leger winner in Eldar Eldarov.

It will be fascinating to see how preparations progress in the various yards, as racedays approach.

A full list of entries as at 4 April can be seen here.