York Dante Festival Antepost Tips 2026 & Racing Preview

The 2026 Dante Festival at York is nearly upon us (Wednesday 13th to Friday 15th May), featuring top-class Flat action with key trials for the Epsom Classics and the Gold Cup. It's the perfect time to get stuck into some antepost bets before the market firms up closer to the day.

As with the big festivals, getting on early can secure value, especially with big trainers like Aidan O'Brien, John Gosden, and others holding strong hands.

We'll focus on the two headline races with odds currently available: the Go Local Stores Minster Stakes (G2, 6f) and Boodles Yorkshire Cup (G2, 1m6f).

For any antepost bets you want to place on the York Dante we would recommend bet365. If you're new you can join and claim the offer below...

Go Local Stores Minster Stakes (G2, 6f) – Wednesday 3:30

Best Bet: Powerful Glory – 16/1 Bet365 E/W I can't quite understand the current price difference with current fav Big Mojo at 6/1. Powerful Glory landed a 200/1 upset beating Big Mojo by 8 1/2 lengths last time out. This Richard Fahey colt was simply electric when chinned Big Mojo in the Group 1 Champion Stakes at Ascot last October. While Big Mojo is the hype horse, Powerful Glory is a York specialist in the making. He’s got that high cruising speed that breaks fields on the Knavesmire, and unlike Mojo, he doesn’t need a lead to be effective. Fahey has said he's matured well over the winter, and with 3/5 wins and excuses for the defeats I think this horse is currently overpriced. Back each-way at 16/1. 

Next Best: American Affair 8/1 Bet365 E/W Americna Affair is already a C&D winner at York and pulled off a massive Group 1 win at Royal Ascot last year. A horse with his track record and ability to pick up the pieces if the leaders go too hard is worth a saver if Powerful Glory fails to follow up his last run. Back each-way at 8/1

Boodles Yorkshire Cup (G2, 1m6f) – Friday 16:05

Best Bet: Scandinavia – 13/2 Bet365 E/W 

Scandinavia both elite stamina and class, winning both the St Leger and Goodwood Cup. While the market remains fixated on the short-priced favorite Amiloc (11/8), Scandinavia has a far more compelling profile for those seeking value. He arrives in the form of his life, seeking a fifth consecutive victory after dominating his last four outings with effortless authority.

This race historically rewards battle-hardened stayers with proven big-race experience, a criteria Scandinavia meets more convincingly than any other runner in the field. The long, galloping stretches of York should be tailor-made for his grinding style, suggesting he will be finding plenty under pressure while others begin to fold in the final furlong. At 13/2, he looks significantly overpriced given his Group 1 credentials and affinity for a true test. Back each-way at 13/2.

Next Best: Ethical Diamond - 5/1 Bet365 E/W Amiloc is just too short to have a bet on at 11/8 so Ethical Diamond rates a better option at a price that is an each-way bet to nothing. Gosden is very astute at targeting major meetings, and Ethical Diamond looks like another project coming to fruition at exactly the right time. He possesses a sharp turn of foot that should keep him within striking distance as the pace intensifies. He has won over course and distance in a heritage handicap last August at the Ebor festival. He actually beat Amiloc in the Breeders Cup but yet Amiloc is just 11/8? The Breeders cup is likely to be the main target for Mullins again with Ethical Diamond, but similar to last season I think he can bag a York victory on route. Back each-way at 5/1.

Antepost betting rewards doing your homework early so hopefully these tips help you with your research. Good luck if you're getting involved, and enjoy the festival!

Odds subject to change and are correct at time of article (17:07 05/05/2026). Please check odds at your bookmaker for the latest prices.