York Tips: Three for Day 2 of the Dante Festival

14:15 - Marine Wave @ 6/1

To begin, we've got a 19-runner handicap over five furlongs. Easy...

Modest stakes are advised on Richard Fahey's MARINE WAVE.

The four-year-old filly is a consistent type and her best effort to date came at York, off a mark of 93, over the minimum trip. A return to that exact same scenario looks sure to suit - as will the predicted good ground.

She ought to strip a lot fitter for her seasonal reappearance at Musselburgh, which led to a generous mark reduction of two pounds, and can hopefully be competitive in this field.

This suggestion is not an each-way one, but I couldn't put you off making the most of Betfred paying five places on the opener.

15:45 - Al Musmak @ 4/1

The feature race of the afternoon, and of the entire meeting, is of course the Dante Stakes - a Group 2 over 1m2½f which serves as a key trial for the Betfred Derby.

Last season's Futurity Trophy winner Ancient Wisdom heads the betting at time of writing, but his participation is in slight doubt after trainer Charlie Appleby admitted he's on weather watch. More rain and therefore cut in the ground is what he's hoping for.

If he runs, he has a huge chance. It's no secret that his juvenile form has been franked several times, but so has AL MUSMAK's.

Roger Varian's son of Night Of Thunder finished just in front of Ancient Wisdom and behind 2000 Guineas runner-up Rosallion in the Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot on King George day last year, while his subsequent triumph at Haydock over a mile also has a strong look to it.

Likewise, his second in the Royal Lodge at Newmarket was franked when the winner Ghostwriter was fourth in the Guineas and Capulet, who was a place behind the selection, won the Dee Stakes at Chester last week.

I don't think there's as much as seven pounds between Al Musmak and the favourite, especially on likely quick ground.

17:20 - Palace Green @ 7/1

Finally, I like the look of Richard Hughes' PALACE GREEN in the three-year-old handicap over 1m4f that closes the card.

Despite failing to win in three starts, the son of Sea The Moon showed a decent level of ability as a two-year-old - but if his first run at three is anything to go by, there's a lot more to come.

The selection got off the mark in style in a novice event on the all-weather at Kempton, beating stablemate Educate, who subsequently ran well in a handicap off a mark of 85, by an easy five lengths.

That form is relatively strong from top to bottom and an opening mark of 89 could really underestimate this lightly-raced improver under the in-form Oisin Murphy.

Betfred are offering money back as a free bet (up to £10) if your horse finishes 2nd in the card's final race.

Find more Horse Racing Tips here at Betfred Insights