Pride Of Arras Leads Middle-Distance Classic Trial Timeform Ratings

[Wandering Eyes]

Thursday's G2 Dante Stakes hero Pride Of Arras (New Bay) has improved to a Timeform rating of 119p after his performance at York. The rating is the highest given to any of the winners of the middle-distance Classic trials this spring.

Topping all 3-year-olds via rankings is G1 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court (Justify) at 123. G3 Acomb Stakes victor and Dante favourite The Lion In Winter (Sea The Stars) is third at 118+. Leopardstown's G3 Derby Trial Stakes winner Delacroix (Dubawi) and G1 Futurity Trophy Stakes scorer Hotazhell (Too Darn Hot) are rated 116p and 116, respectively.

Timeform reporter Kieran Clark said, “Not only had Pride Of Arras clearly learnt plenty from his debut at Sandown nine months ago, but he appears to have strengthened up appreciably in that period.

“This puts Pride Of Arras, who is a fine-looking type with bags of scope, firmly in the Derby picture. The longer trip is likely to be within range and the track is unlikely to pose a problem considering two of his dam's first three foals have won round Epsom. He has leading claims of becoming the sixth winner of this to follow up there this century and is fully deserving of his place towards the head of the Derby betting.”

North Light, Motivator, Authorized, Golden Horn and the late Desert Crown have all completed the Dante-Derby double this century.

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