KARL BURKE unleashes a four-strong assault on the 1895 Duke of York Clipper Stakes, with course winner Swingalong and the Group One-placed Spycatcher leading the Spigot Lodge attack on the opening day of the Dante Festival.

The former is the mount of stable jockey Clifford Lee and has enjoyed some of her finest hours on the Knavesmire, while she has also acquitted herself well at the highest level when set some stern assignments.

Meanwhile, the soft-ground loving Spycatcher came within a short head of Group One glory at Deauville last summer and is another proven in top company, this time partnered by Ryan Moore.

Burke is struggling to split his quartet, and in particular this pair, and said: “Swingalong has been working really nicely, she’s been on the go a long time and has been ready to go for a while.

IN THE RUNNING: Spycatcher ridden by jockey Clifford Lee (second left) at last year's Jenningsbet Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle. Picture: Tim Goode/PA

“She loves York and we hope she will run a big race – she has never run a bad race at York. Spycatcher will need every drop of rain and if the ground is deemed to be firm then there would be a doubt about him going.

“We’ve got four nice horses and it is a shame they all have to run against each other. Swingalong seems to be at the head of them, although on soft ground I would be leaning with Spycatcher.”

The Middleham trainer’s hand is strengthened by last year’s fifth Marshman, who like Swingalong, has smart course form.

Stablemate Cold Case was a place behind Marshman in the Gimcrack at York as a juvenile and progressed to compete in group one company last term, finishing fourth in the Prix Maurice de Gheest.

HOPEFUL: Leyburn-based trainer Karl Burke. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA

“Marshman has always run well at York and he goes there in good form,” continued Burke.

“He ran disappointingly at Newmarket, but he always runs disappointingly there so we’re putting that down to the track and he seems in good form.

“Cold Case is coming back off a bit of an injury last year and he’s worked nicely. He will definitely need the run and come on for it, but if I don’t run him here there’s nothing for him until Ascot, so it is a case of having to go really.”

Another with a couple of cards up his sleeve for this race is proud Yorkshireman William Haggas, who last won this race in 2017 with Tasleet.

ALL EYES ON YORK: Elizabeth Anderson, marketing assistant at York Racecourse, holds aloft the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes trophy ahead of the three-day Dante Festival which starts today. Picture: James Hardisty

The Newmarket-based handler returns to his native county with the hat-trick seeking course winner Montassib and consistent performer Tiber Flow, who is the preference of the trainer.

“It’s a strong race. I would prefer Tiber Flow tomorrow, but the market doesn’t, so we will see,” said Haggas about his chances.

“Montassib likes it soft and I don’t know how slow or quick it is going to be.”

Dante Festival: Swingalong back at York to lead Karl Burke's attack on 1895 Duke of York Clipper Stakes sprint prize