High Definition to Use Dante as Springboard to Derby

This time last week High Definition  was his stable's number one prospect for the Cazoo Derby (G1) and set to follow in the hoofprints of 2019 Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck  by taking in the Novibet Derby Trial Stakes at Lingfield on his way to Epsom.

However, an unsatisfactory blood test ended that plan and by the afternoon of May 9 he had been usurped as favorite for the classic by his stablemate Bolshoi Ballet , who himself quickly put a stop to talk of trainer Aidan O'Brien not having a legitimate Derby hopeful.

Lingfield's loss is York's gain though, with O'Brien giving High Definition the all clear to compete in the May 13 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes (G2). The son of Galileo  will attempt to emulate the likes of North Light , Motivator , Authorized  , and Golden Horn  in winning the Dante and following up in the Derby next month.

O'Brien, who also runs Roman Empire, said: "The last week has been a bit of a rollercoaster with High Definition. He seems to be in good form now and his bloods have come right, but obviously they weren't right a week ago so the preparation hasn't been ideal.

"You can't go to the Derby without a run, so we had to come here if we want to go to Epsom. We're looking forward to seeing him back out again.

"We've always liked Roman Empire, but first time out he was very disappointing at Gowran. We think it was a combination of the ground and the winner taking him on up front. We think he can leave that run well behind him."

On Sunday we saw a horse in Bolshoi Ballet that many people think will win the Derby, while on Tuesday we saw another in Makaloun  who is a probable contender for the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, G1).

Undoubtedly both horses have classic class, but neither were able to defeat Gear Up  when taking him on in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud (G1) last season, which makes the reappearance of the Mark Johnston-trained colt here all the more intriguing.

Also the winner of the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (G3) last year, Gear Up is being treated as a candidate for next month's Derby by his Midlands-based owners Teme Valley Racing, whose burgundy and yellow hooped silks are being seen with increasing regularity in top races in Britain.

Richard Ryan, racing manager for Teme Valley, said: "It's our first run of the season and it's a case of seeing how he gets on and then taking it from there. Our sights are set on the Derby, and we do feel he'll be better going over a mile and a half.

"It's a strong race and if he can be competitive and involved at the business end that'd be great, and if he could tick the box by winning that would be even better.

"He's got a stallion's profile and what he's done so far is very smart, beating good horses who have come out and shown a high level of form themselves. We're quite excited about him."