Dante next stop for exciting Crossed Baton on the road to the Derby

Crossed Baton will bid to boost his Investec Derby claims at York next week when he lines up in the Betfred Dante Stakes, but Godolphin’s Ghaiyyath will not be in opposition due to injury.

Trained by John Gosden for Khalid Abdullah, Crossed Baton has already shown a liking for Epsom having landed the Blue Riband Trial at the course last month and connections are keen to test his mettle further next week.

Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to Khalid Abdullah, said: “Crossed Baton worked pleasingly on Friday morning and is an intended runner in the Dante. I felt it was a very solid performance at Epsom. It’s always difficult to make all there and he did that.”

Crossed Baton defeated My Lord And Master and Dee Ex Bee at Epsom, with those runners going on to finish second in the Dee Stakes and Chester Vase respectively.

“The form is at least appreciable,” Grimthorpe added. “With the Derby all things become engrossing and he has come through an Epsom trial, progressed pretty nicely physically and in his work he is going the right way. So he deserves a shot at the Dante.

“I think that will give us a pretty good idea. Obviously if there’s a chance he could be a serious Derby contender we want to give him that chance.”

Betfred Dante card and betting

Investec Derby card and betting

Crossed Baton is between 16-1 and 33-1 for the Derby, a race Gosden has won with Benny The Dip and Golden Horn, while Abdullah has been responsible for three winners of the famous Classic.

Point your toe: Godolphin’s Ghaiyyath strides out well to win the Autumn StakesCredit: Getty Images

Ghaiyyath, Godolphin’s leading contender for Epsom at around 16-1, will not be lining up at York after picking up an injury on Saturday.

A tweet from Godolphin said: “Ghaiyyath to miss Dante date – [Charlie] Appleby reports the three-year-old looked short behind when cooling out after routine exercise this morning. He is under veterinary supervision."

Read The Briefing from 8.30am daily on racingpost.com with all the day's latest going, weather, market moves and non-runner news