Paul Hanagan: Dante Festival offers chance to be riding closer to home instead of being on the road

I can’t wait to be back riding again on Knavesmire for the first time in 2011. I have been leading jockey at York for the last two years, and I’m aiming to defend my title.

The horses are in cracking form, and there are some really big prizes to be claimed at Yorkshire’s finest racecourse, including a Group 2 contest every day, each worth over £100,000.

It makes a lovely change too to be riding for three days in a row close to home rather than shooting up and down the country.

I’m also told that the racecourse has refurbished the Weighing Room – and the jockeys now have their own rest room.

Great stuff!

Rose Blossom is poised to run in the Group 2 Duke of York Blue Square Stakes on the opening day of the Dante Festival.

I’ve ridden her at home recently, and she’s absolutely flying. She won a conditions race at this meeting 12 months ago, and I’d be hopeful of a third Knavesmire victory for her.

Barefoot Lady, who won the Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket and ran on very well to be fifth in the 1000 Guineas last weekend, could run in the Group 3 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes on Wednesday.

The sprinter Johannes – a bit of a veteran now at eight years old – has run a couple of times at Headquarters in recent weeks. He’ll come on for those outings, and there is more than one option for him at York where he has won twice before.

Another race I’m very much looking forward to – even if I don’t currently have a scheduled ride in it – is the totesport Dante Stakes on Thursday with a record £150,000 in prize-money.

Some of the leading Investec Derby contenders will be staking their claims for Classic glory, including trainer Henry Cecil’s World Domination.

It should be a gripping contest. I think ‘The Dante’ is the most important race ahead of The Derby, and it will give us a good idea of the destination of the colts’ classic.

Friday concludes the festival with more high-class racing and valuable handicaps.

It’s still early days and our running plans will become clearer in the next few days.

Before the Dante Festival, I have my own little double header tomorrow – Nottingham in the afternoon and Thirsk in the evening, with no fewer than nine rides.

I haven’t been on some of the horses before, and I’d probably be pleased to end the day with one winner.

My best hope, I reckon, will be the filly Qushchi from trainer Clive Cox’s yard in the 4.05pm handicap race at Colwick Park. She was probably a bit outclassed in the Nell Gwyn Stakes behind my mount Barefoot Lady, but at the level of the race tomorrow she’d certainly have a decent chance.

Enjoy the Dante Festival at York where I’m reliably informed that Champagne will be available for under £30 all season!

That’s a cause for celebration in itself.

The opening meeting of the 2011 Flat racing season at York Racecourse is the Dante Festival.  Book to see Yorkshire Post columnist Paul Hanagan in action at York Races from Wednesday 11 May through to Friday 13 May at www.yorkracecourse.co.uk or by calling the racecourse on 01904 620911. Admission to the Course Enclosure, Grandstand & Paddock and County Stand ranges from £5 to £30.  Three-day admission is from £10 to £77.  The first race time on each of the three days is currently scheduled for 1.30pm.  Gates will be open from 11.15am.