Gosden at the double as he eyes York’s Musidora prize

CHAMPION trainer John Gosden saddles two impeccably-bred fillies, Entitle and Sparkle Roll, as he bids to improve on his excellent record in the Musidora Stakes at York tomorrow on the opening day of the 2019 Dante festival.

A key trial for the Epsom Oaks, Newmarket-based Gosden has taken this Group Three contest five times in the last eight years with such stars as The Fugue and So Mi Dar.

John Gosden's Sparkle Roll, pictured winning at Goodwood under Oisin Murphy, heads the field for tom orrow's Musidora Stakes at York.

placeholder image — John Gosden's Sparkle Roll, pictured winning at Goodwood under Oisin Murphy, heads the field for tom orrow's Musidora Stakes at York.

This time he looks to Frankie Dettori’s mount Entitle, a half-sister to the brilliant Enable, and Sparkle Roll, a half-sister to the 2017 Derby hero Wings Of Eagles who will be ridden by Oisin Murphy. Both hold entries in the Oaks on May 31.

William Haggas was victorious last year with Give And Take and relies on Frankellina, winner of her only start at Yarmouth in October. The Frankel filly is in the Oaks.

Saeed bin Suroor is two-handed with Lingfield novice scorer Dubai Blue and Swift Rose, who ran four times in Dubai over the winter.

The sole Irish-trained entry is Fresnel from Jack Davison’s stable in County Meath. She was only beaten two lengths when fourth to Oaks favourite Pink Dogwood in the Listed Salsabil Stakes at Navan last month.

Pink Dogwood’s trainer  Aidan O’Brien withdrew his two entries, Peach Tree and Fire Fly, at the final declaration stage.

Meanwhile, Hambleton trainer Kevin Ryan’s consistent and classy sprinter Brando is among 10 horses declared for the Duke of York Clipper  Logistics Stakes on the Knavesmire,

Having finished runner-up to Harry Angel in this contest 12 months ago, the hardy seven-year-old will try to add to his impressive record that boasts a Group One triumph in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville in 2017.

Ryan also has Hey Jonesy and Major Jumbo as back-up in the Group Two feature.

Henry Candy’s popular veteran Limato has not run in this race before but won over the course and distance in September. The James Tate-trained Invincible Army will try to build on his victory in the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster on his seasonal debut.

Top jockey William Buick will miss the Dante meeting while he undergoes tests in Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.

The Northern Racing College graduate – who was due to ride Breeders’ Cup hero Line of Duty in Thursday’s Dante Stakes – started feeling unwell at the weekend.

Retained by Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation, he won last year’s Epsom Derby on Masar.