The Dante Stakes, the last recognised Derby trial before the Classic on 1 June, had the emphatic winner that everyone had turned up hoping to see on Thursday, but with one significant caveat that left the ante-post market murkier than ever.
Economics, a strapping chestnut trained by William Haggas, cruised up to the leaders and then accelerated six lengths clear of Ancient Wisdom, one of last season’s best juveniles, a performance that one bookie suggested would be more than enough to make him the clear Derby favourite – had he not been taken out of the race at the second entry stage last month.
