O’Brien duo out to prove Derby claims on the Knavesmire

Aidan O’Brien will run the rule over two of his Derby hopefuls when Christmas Day and Action line up in Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes at York.
Christmas Day defeated stablemate Endorsement on his seasonal reappearance in the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown last month to boost his Classic hopes on either side of the Irish Sea.
Currently 12-1 and fourth favourite for the Epsom showpiece with race sponsor Betfred, the Camelot colt is near the head of the market for the Group Two contest on the Knavesmire over an extended 10 furlongs.
The Ballydoyle handler is double-handed as Action aims to bounce back from his fourth in the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown in April when going off as a short-priced favourite.
He remains the highest-rated horse in the field and a return to the winner’s enclosure could give O’Brien food for thought on the Frankel colt’s future plans.
Godolphin have three representatives with Classic Trial runner-up Al Zanati and King’s Trail going for Charlie Appleby, while Guildmaster lines up for John and Thady Gosden.
The Gosden partnership also have Wise Prince in the eight-runner field, with Feilden Stakes winner Morshdi, who won a maiden at this track in October, entered by William Haggas while Andrew Balding’s unbeaten colt Item finishes the list.
See The Fire leads the way as she defends her Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes crown in a small yet competitive line-up.
She was in devastating form 12 months ago when cruising to a 12-length success, and the Sea The Stars mare returned to form after holding off It’s A Heartbeat by a neck to land the Nottinghamshire Oaks last month.
Diamond Rain, trained by Appleby, was last seen finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf and will provide stern opposition for last year’s winner, who was ninth in the same Del Mar race.
Wathnan Racing-owned Fallen Angel, who claimed Group Ones in France, Ireland and England last season, returns for Karl Burke, Irish raider Red Letter (Ger Lyons) and Simon and Ed Crisford’s Dubai Gold Cup winner Fairy Glen complete the field.