Comeback of Stradivarius

York, Friday 13 May: The Dante Festival at York enters its third round today with the Yorkshire Cup (4th race/16.35/175,000 pounds/2787m) taking centre stage. Five horses will contest the Group 2 test.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained Stradivarius (Frankie Dettori) is tipped as the favourite. The eight-year-old could make history, because after two Cup victories he would be the winningest horse if successful. To do so, he has to be better than Search For A Song (Chris Hayes), who currently tested at List level in Navan and finished a good second. Last year, the six-year-old won the Loughbrown Stakes (Group 3) and achieved numerous placings at the highest level. Tashkhan (Ben Robinson) ran in the handicap here twelve months ago. In the Long Distance Cup (Group 2), the Ellison protégé finished second to Stradivarius. Max Vega (Rob Hornby) is recommended by his fresh success in the Finest Surprise Stakes (Group 3). Thunderous (Franny Norton) could not do anything behind him in sixth place.