Item produced a stunning performance in the Dante Stakes at York last month, throwing Aidan O'Brien's Derby aspirations into disarray. The colt, trained by an undisclosed handler, defeated the highly-fancied Benvenuto Cellini by two and three-quarter lengths, leaving connections of the O'Brien runner to reassess their Classic plans.
Benvenuto Cellini, a Frankel colt out of Gossamer Wings, had previously finished a close second to Hawk Mountain in the Group One Futurity at Doncaster. That form was given a boost when Hawk Mountain placed in the French Derby. However, the Dante defeat has raised questions about Benvenuto Cellini's stamina for the Epsom Classic, despite his pedigree suggesting improvement over longer trips.
Item's victory has reshuffled the Derby market, with the winner now considered a serious contender. The race at York showcased Item's ability to handle the step up in distance, a crucial attribute for the Epsom test. Meanwhile, Benvenuto Cellini remains in the Derby field but faces an uphill task to reverse the form.
Other notable runners include Maltese Cross, who impressed in the Lingfield Trial, and a Frankel colt owned by Kia Joorabchian's Amo Racing operation. The latter, a seven-figure yearling, boasts a pedigree full of stamina and has been installed as a leading contender following his Newmarket Stakes victory.
The Derby field also features several longshots, including a €20,000 purchase with little form to recommend it. However, history shows that such outsiders can occasionally spring a surprise, as Khalifa Sat and Hoo Ya Mal did in recent years when finishing second.
