York Dante Festival 2026 Day 1 (Wednesday 13th May 2026)

In my opinion York is one of the best racecourses in the country and I can’t wait for the Dante Festival to get underway!

There is some real quality on display on the Knavesmire this week and we kick off with a couple of Group races on Wednesday including the Musidora and the Minster Stakes.

There are seven races to get stuck into and I have previews for every one including main dangers to my selections. I have put forward two of my best bets on Day 1 of the Dante Festival so hopefully we can make it a winning start to the week.

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York Dante Day 1 tips (Wednesday)

• 1.45 Cut A Dash – 9/2 with Betfred
• 2.20 Klassleader – 11/4 with Paddy Power NAP
• 2.55 Binhareer – 6/1 each way with bet365
• 3.30 Kind Of Blue – 11/2 each way with Betfred
• 4.05 Felicitas – 11/4 with bet365 NEXT BEST
• 4.40 Inishbeg – 13/2 each way with bet365
• 5.15 Master Builder – 17/2 each way with Betway

Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for York’s Dante Festival 2026 Day 1 (Wednesday 13th May 2026)

Find my top tips for Wednesday 13th May 2026 racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:

York 1.45 British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes (Class 2) 5f

Only one of the six colts in the opener has any form so not a great deal to go on. Spectacular Diver looked a bit one paced finishing runner-up first time out and doesn’t set an insurmountable standard.

I will be siding with a debutant in the shape of CUT A DASH for Richard Hannon. This colt by Starspangledbanner certainly looks the part on paper and it would be no surprise to see him forward enough to run a big race on debut.

Varzi is likely to go off favourite for Karl Burke. He cost €170,000 as a yearling and is by high-class sprinter Havana Grey. He also looks like he could be a smart prospect and obviously the yard has an excellent record with 2yo newcomers.

Dubai Champion could be a nice prospect going forward but he is likely to need this experience judging by his pedigree.

Bet on CUT A DASH To Win at 9/2 with Betfred

York 2.20 Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Jorvik Handicap (Class 2) 1m4f

The more I looked at this race the more confident I was KLASSLEADER was the one to beat. This colt by Lope De Vega looked promising going close at Doncaster and then took another step forward to win at Ffos Las.

I know he was beaten at Haydock on final start but I think the trip stretched him a little. Back down to a mile and a half here with scope to progress again as a 4yo he could take a lot of stopping under Tom Marquand.

Sing Us A Song beat the selection at Haydock but was only third on return at Epsom and will need to better that form to come out on top here.

Stressfree loves it here but looks high enough in the handicap to spring an upset. The rest look up against it and I think this lacks strength in depth.

Bet on KLASSLEADER To Win at 11/4 with Paddy Power

York 2.55 Churchill Tyres Handicap (Class 2) 6f

C&D form usually counts for plenty and BINHAREER was impressive over track and trip on final start last season.

The handicapper has raised him 10lb for that but he won so easily and that form has been franked since as well with the runner-up Purest Time winning at Windsor on Monday. He is progressive and could easily follow up on return here.

Pocklington would have needed the run when midfield on return at Newcastle but goes well here and if coming forward from that could be a danger in here.

Tuco Salamanca was back in the winners enclosure on return but has a career-high mark as a result now so this is a tough enough ask albeit he is likeable.

Bet on BINHAREER Each Way at 6/1 with bet365

York 3.30 Go Local Stores Minster Stakes (Group 2) 6f

Time For Sandals will be popular with Ryan Moore on but KIND OF BLUE must have a great chance for Wathnan. He failed to fire on final outing on Champions Day but had excuses and shouldn’t be dismissed here.

His third to Bucanero Fuerte at the Curragh was a big run and he went close in the Sprint Cup too behind Big Mojo. He is still lightly raced for his age and this former Group 1 winner should run a big race on return.

Big Mojo enters the reckoning and Aramram has been thriving since returning and was only beaten narrowly at Newmarket so remains in good order. Cool Hoof Luke is still unexposed and has won over C&D as well so at a bigger price might be worth an each way saver.

Bet on KIND OF BLUE Each Way at 11/2 with Betfred

York 4.05 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes (Fillies’ Group 3) 1m21/2f

I’m surprised Legacy Link and FELICITAS aren’t closer in the betting as I’m keen on the latter running a big race. She is yet to taste defeat having won both starts impressively. She scored on debut at Lingfield as a 2yo and then returned with a three-length romp at Sandown last month.

She was weak in the betting that day but that didn’t stop her cruising through the race and running out a convincing winner. She will improve again and is a filly to keep on side.

Legacy Link has only had three starts and was last seen finishing fourth behind Precise. She could have lots more to come this season but does lack a run and could have a big task on her hands here. I can see her drifting somewhat in the betting.

Of the rest Moments Of Joy can leave that reappearance run at the Curragh behind and give a good account of herself here too.

Bet on FELICITAS To Win at 11/4 with bet365

York 4.40 Conundrum HR Consulting Handicap (Class 3) 7f

I still think Kevin Ryan left something to work on with INISHBEG the way he went through the race at Thirsk.

His class saw him come out on top that day but I expect him to improve again. He has only had the four starts and there is likely plenty more to come yet. He goes handicapping for the first time and is a colt to keep on side.

Al Najashi has been on a sensational run winning his last five in a row. He was impressive again at Newcastle last month but a further 9lb rise demands a lot especially back on turf he needs to prove he can transfer it.

Hasbro Market was only beaten a length on return at Wetherby and is another one I can see coming forward and getting competitive.

Bet on INISHBEG Each Way at 13/2 with bet365

York 5.15 Stuey Weston & Friends Getting Out Handicap (Class 4) 1m4f

I’m taking a chance on one in the lucky last in the shape of MASTER BUILDER. I don’t think he enjoyed the ground when down the field at Doncaster on final start.

He ran well fresh last season and back on a sounder surface he could be well handicapped off a mark of just 85 (won off 88 in the past). He is probably a horse that hasn’t achieved the heights his trainer would have hoped but this looks a good set-up for him and he is overpriced.

Mafting is thriving right now and shouldn’t be far away. Great Bedwyn also catches the eye as I didn’t think he was given the best ride when midfield at Lingfield and somewhat caught the eye behind Whitcombe Rockstar at Kempton so could run well at a nice each way price too.

Bet on MASTER BUILDER Each Way at 17/2 with Betway

My top tip for York’s Dante Festival 2026 Day 1

Tons of value about on Day 1 and I’m keen on this pair at double figures!

KLASSLEADER has lots more to come as a 4yo back down to a mile and a half and can progress and make a winning return. FELICITAS was impressive at Sandown and has more to come so looks a nice price to turn over the short priced favourite. The double pays 12/1!

Bet a Win Double on KLASSLEADER and FELICITAS at 12/1 with bet365

About the author

Joe Norris

I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.

Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO

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