Dante Stakes reaction plus a possible Oaks candidate in action at York on Friday

The 2021 Flat season is well under way and it's full steam ahead to the first of the Irish Classics this month – and – and next month's Epsom Classics, the and .

Market movers come thick and fast as the key Classic trials are run in Britain and Ireland, but big-race contenders can come from anywhere and it's easy to miss a potential dark horse. Classic Clues, our new series running every morning, has you covered.

Here's a recap of Thursday's action and how it impacted the Classic betting.

Racing round-up: Hurricane delivers at York

Godolphin's Hurricane Lane was cut to 6-1 (from 20) for the Cazoo Derby after his victory in the Dante Stakes at York on Thursday.

The Charlie Appleby-trained colt stayed on stoutly under William Buick to extend his unbeaten record to three and cemented his position as Godolphin's leading hope for the Derby.

The Buick-Appleby-Godolphin triumvirate landed the Epsom Classic with Masar in 2018 and Hurricane Lane is third in the betting with Paddy Power ahead of Mohaafeth, who is available at 13-2.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained High Definition caught the eye on his return when keeping on for third and remains second favourite for the Classic despite drifting to 9-2 (from 4) with bet365 and Sky Bet.

His stablemate Roman Empire, who weakened late on into fourth after an enterprising ride from Hollie Doyle, was shortened to 25-1 (from 40) with Betfair Sportsbook but is as big as 50-1 elsewhere.

The Ed Dunlop-trained John Leeper, a winner on the all-weather last time, was declared for the Betway Fairway Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday and is now 14-1 (from 20) for the Derby with Sky Bet.

Sea Empress, trained by William Haggas, will put her Oaks claims on the line in the Haras De Bouquetot Fillies' Trial at Newbury on the same day. She was clipped to 10-1 (from 12) with bet365.

Results, replays and analysis

Market movers

Cazoo Derby

Bolshoi Ballet 6-4 (from 7-4), Paddy Power
High Definition 9-2 (from 4), bet365
Hurricane Lane 6-1 (from 20), bet365
John Leeper 14-1 (from 20), Sky Bet
Roman Empire 25-1 (from 40), Betfair Sportsbook

Cazoo Oaks

Sea Empress 10-1 (from 12), bet365

What they said

Dante reaction

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Hurricane Lane
He's got a great temperament for a big horse and a good mover. It was lovely ground and he's jumped and travelled well. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said he was pleased, so as long as the horse comes out of it fit and well then Epsom is the obvious place to go.

John Gosden, trainer of runner-up Megallan
He was here on a trial for the Prix du Jockey-Club and all being well that's where he'll go. He's run a lovely race, that is his trip. The ground was a touch dead for him, he's got a better turn of foot on quicker ground.

Key preview quote

Richard Hannon, trainer of Snow Lantern, favourite for 2.10 York
We've not made a secret of the regard in which we hold her and it was lovely to watch her win so easily at Newbury. It's rare you get to actually enjoy watching a race when there's so much on the line but she did absolutely everything right in a race that has already thrown up a few winners and she's in great form. We toyed with the idea of running in the 1,000 Guineas but after discussing it with her owners we didn’t think she was quite ready for a race of that nature so decided to come here instead and hopefully we’ll have a clearer idea where we go next, although Ascot would seem the most logical.

Today's racing: Lantern could shine

Snow Lantern is as short as 9-1 for the Cazoo Oaks, for which she is entered, and tackles Listed company for the first time in the Oaks Farm Stables Fillies' Stakes (2.10), registered as the Michael Seely Memorial Stakes, on the final day of the Dante meeting at York.

Royal Ascot may well be her next port of call, where she is entered in the Coronation Stakes, rather than Epsom, but it will be intriguing to see how she fares and whether a Classic bid becomes a likelier proposition. She is also entered in the Irish 1,000 Guineas on Sunday week and the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on July 3.

Derab (3.20), who was beaten by Snow Lantern in a Newbury novice last month, bids to get off the mark for John and Thady Gosden in a mile novice at Newmarket. He is 50-1 for the Derby with bet365.

The 1m2f maiden at Newbury sees the return of two Derby entrants in Mojo Star (3.55), a runner-up on his debut and 250-1 for the Classic with bet365, and Zagato, who is available at the same price.

The Mark Johnston-trained trio of Annandale (4.25 Newbury), Kondo Isami and Happy (4.50 York) are big-priced outsiders for the Derby and carry top weight in three-year-old handicaps.

Read a selection of our Friday previews . . .

3.10 York: fighting fit and in 'the form of his life' – Sir Ron Priestley is up for the Cup

1.40 York: experience could be crucial as juveniles clash in Listed Marygate Stakes

2.10 York: can highly regarded Snow Lantern live up to her breeding and justify big hype?

2.40 York: David Menuisier following familiar route with 'very exciting' Blue Cup

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