EPSOM Derby favourite Jack Hobbs is among 15 confirmations for the Betfred Dante Stakes at York on Thursday and could come up against former market leader John F Kennedy from the Ballydoyle yard.

The John Gosden-trained Jack Hobbs (by Halling) won his maiden at Wolverhampton last season and emerged onto the classic scene with a 12-length romp in a handicap at Sandown.

Gosden could also run the promising Golden Horn in Thursday’s showcase race, who won the Listed Feilden Stakes last time out in April.

Aidan O’Brien has confirmed that John F Kennedy, who misses a scheduled appearance at Leopardstown on Sunday, will take his place in the Dante. John F Kennedy’s ran a disappointing race on his three-year-old debut at Leopardstown last month, finishing last of the three runners in the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes.

O’Brien has also left in Aloft, Giovanni Canaletto, Highland Reel, who is declared to run in the Poule d´Essai des Poulains at Longchamp this weekend, Jinsha Lake, Ol’ Man River and Order Of St George, who contests the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Barry Hills could saddle Nafaqa after he was taken out of the Dee Stakes because of soft ground. Racing Post Trophy winner Elm Park could also run, the Andrew Balding-trained colt using this as a trial for next month’s Investec Derby. Decorated Knight, Disegno, Lord Ben Stack and Medrano could also participate.

DANTE MEETING

The three-day Dante Festival at York, starting on Wednesday, has a record investment of over £1m in prize money. Prize money has risen by £75,000, with all of the feature group contests receiving an increase.

The biggest increase is a £20,000 rise for Wednesday’s Tattersalls Musidora, a feature race for three-year-old fillies and on Thursday there is a new listed race - the £40,000 British Stallion Studs EBF Westow Stakes for three-year-old sprinters.

Friday’s principal race is the Betway Yorkshire Cup, now with £150,000 on offer to the leading stayers over one mile and three-quarters.

Modus to be sold at Brightwells

MODUS, the high class five-year-old son of Motivator who put up a scintillating late run to be just beaten one and a half lengths in the Grade 1 Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham Festival this year, will be offered for sale at Brightwells Cheltenham Select May Sale on Thursday, May 28th.

Modus is a 13-length listed winner of a NH flat race at Cheltenham. He has shown top class form this season, his last run saw him take third in the Attheraces.com Champion INH Flat race Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival to Bellshill.