York Dante Festival 2026 Day 2 (Thursday 14th May 2026)

The top quality action keeps on coming from the Knavesmire on Thursday and we have the feature race the Dante Stakes to enjoy.

Aidan O’Brien sends over Christmas Day and he will be hoping he can extend the winning sequence before being targeted at either Epsom or the Curragh.

We also have the Middleton Fillies’ Stakes where See The Fire is looking to defend her crown and should be really tough to beat. A card stacked full of quality and I can’t wait for the racing to get underway. Here are my Day 2 Dante Festival 2026 Betting tips with odds from the UK’s best horse racing bookmakers.

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York Dante Day 1 tips (Wednesday)

• 1.45 The Ginger Kid – 13/2 each way with bet365
• 2.20 Corolla Point – 6/1 each way with BoyleSports
• 2.55 Cerulean Bay – 8/1 each way with Betway
• 3.30 See The Fire – 6/5 with talkSPORT BET NAP
• 4.05 Christmas Day – 9/4 with Betfred NEXT BEST
• 4.40 Manatee Mehmas – 7/2 with Spreadex
• 5.15 Arc Ole Ole – 4/1 price boost with talkSPORT BET

Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for York’s Dante Festival 2026 Day 2 (Thursday 14th May 2026)

Find my top tips for Thursday 14th May 2026 racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:

York 1.45 Sky Bet ebfstallions.com Novice Stakes (Class 2) 6f

Hard to be confident on anything in the opener as we don’t have much form to go on. THE GINGER KID cost €110,000 as a colt and is related to some Group 1 winners so could be value to strike on debut. Ed Walker seems to have his horses in good form and he could be a big player here at a nice price.

Rock Steady Beat is likely to go off favourite for Karl Burke who took this race back in 2024 with Andesite. Hannon won it 12 months ago with First Legion and has Persian Spring here who has a run under his belt and could leave that bare form behind now.

Bet on THE GINGER KID Each Way at 13/2 with bet365

York 2.20 Lindum York Handicap (Class 2) 5f

A wide open sprint now and I keep coming back to COROLLA POINT so he will be the selection.

He remains completely unexposed having only had six career starts and while he was denied the hat-trick on return at Beverley he went down less than a length and didn’t get the best trip. The form has already been boosted and he is versatile regarding the ground so clearly plenty of positives.

Redorange is often too keen to do himself justice but if he settles better here on return he could be a player. He has gone well fresh so the lack of a run shouldn’t be a concern.

Hammer The Hammer should appreciate dropping back to the minimum trip here on return and is another one to note.

Bet on COROLLA POINT Each Way at 6/1 with BoyleSports

York 2.55 Oakmere Homes Hambleton Handicap (Class 2) 1m

Both Sea Force and Shout seem quite short here so CERULEAN BAY is put forward as the value bet for David O’Meara. This son of New Bay was an eye-catcher finishing strongly at Haydock on return and now stepping back up to a mile if building on that should run a massive race.

Mirsky was back to winning ways back over a mile at Thirsk and if building on that could have a good chance of hitting the frame.

At an even bigger price Walsingham won nicely at Pontefract and while this is tougher up in grade he could also run well being a stablemate to the selection.

Bet on CERULEAN BAY Each Way at 8/1 with Betway

York 3.30 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes (Fillies’ & Mares’ Group 2) 1m21/2f

There are only four horses heading to post for the Middleton this year and it is hard to oppose SEE THE FIRE who was an emphatic winner of this 12 months ago.

She cruised through the race last year and was miles the best. She is in even better form this time around having won the Nottinghamshire Oaks last month and it is hard to find any chinks in her armour.

Fallen Angel has obviously achieved a high level of form in the past and she looks the danger but you’d imagine Karl Burke would leave something to work on given we haven’t seen her for 208 days now.

Diamond Rain is no back number but also lacks a recent spin so if the favourite is on her game she will likely be up against it.

Bet on SEE THE FIRE To Win at 6/5 with talkSPORT BET

York 4.05 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes (Group 2) 1m21/2f

The money seems to be coming for CHRISTMAS DAY and it is easy to see why.

He completed a hat-trick of wins in the Ballysax at Leopardstown on return last month. He ran strongly through the line so I can see him being suited by this long straight here as his stamina comes into play. He has some flashy entries so Aidan O’Brien will be hopeful he can step up again and win this.

Morshdi was withdrawn at Chester after the ground was deemed ‘unsafe’ by his rider Tom Marquand. His form has taken a couple of notches but he does still look promising so he is the danger.

Item is yet to taste defeat for Andrew Balding but this is a tough ask especially lacking a run. There is quality in depth here in a good renewal.

Bet on CHRISTMAS DAY To Win at 9/4 with Betfred

York 4.40 British Stallion Studs EBF Westow Stakes (Listed) 5f

The way MANATEE MEHMAS picked up to win on debut at Doncaster was impressive. If he progresses again he looks a danger to all in this. The fact he was backed into odds-on first time out too tells you they knew what they had so he could be a nice prospect going forward despite no fancy entires.

Aspect Island was highly tried on return at Newmarket and is expected to show up much better here in these calmer waters.

The market hasn’t missed him though! Revival Power lacks a run but showed a decent level of form last season and is another one who could come forward plenty.

Bet on MANATEE MEHMAS To Win at 7/2 with Spreadex

York 5.15 Frank Whittle Partnership Handicap (Class 4) 1m4f

The ground looks like it’s going to be ideal for ARC OLE OLE so I’m keen to keep him on side. He showed a good attitude to land a gamble on return at Doncaster and with more to come again now tackling a mile and a half he could improve plenty.

Hard To Believe was impressive at Wolverhampton but was expected to win that. This is much tougher but he is clearly going the right way and the yard are among the winners of late.

Baltic Fleet was a bit disappointing at Bath but it is early days and he could be better suited by this big field with a strong pace so don’t ignore.

Bet on ARC OLE OLE at 9/2 price boost with talkSPORT BET

My top tip for York’s Dante Festival 2026 Day 2

Another great days racing from York and I’m confident I can land a double!

SEE THE FIRE was impressive last year and should defend her crown and Aidan O’Brien is confident CHRISTMAS DAY can keep progressing and come out on top in the Dante before going to either Epsom or the Curragh for the English or Irish Derby.

Bet a Win Double on SEE THE FIRE and CHRISTMAS DAY at 13/2 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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