Can Dakota Gold bring the house down as Ebor festival starts with a sprint?

Wednesday: 1.50 York
Sky Bet And Symphony Group Handicap | 5½f | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

Pulling together recent results makes for slightly confusing reading when figuring out the ideal draw in this feverishly competitive sprint, but a closer look at this year's line-up makes the situation far clearer.

You can usually rely on Mountain Peak, Copper Knight, Live In The Dream and Bond Chairman to go forward and somewhat remarkably, the quartet are stalled next to each other in berths nine to 12. Ancient Times, in 13, is yet to be tested in a big-field sprint but is another who enjoys racing from the front.

Those stalls have produced two winners in the last five years. 2020 scorer Acclaim The Nation (nine) made all while in the previous year Dakota Gold (ten) moved clear from a prominent position.

Only time will tell if the four could repeat the trick, but it may be wiser to treat them with caution and expect to see a closer take advantage of a likely strong pace.

That all reads well for the luckless Atalis Bay, who comes from stall six and could pick up the pieces for Robert Cowell. He threatened to do just that when travelling nicely in rear at Goodwood last time but the gap failed to open and perhaps his chance will come here. Zarzyni and Dusky Lord are also feared.

Dakota Gold is drawn high but can simply never be ruled out at York. Stall 21 proved no issue for him when he struck at the track in May but the ground will dictate whether he even takes his chance.

Perfect Power (12): beat Project Dante (closest) in the Norfolk at Royal Ascot last seasonCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Project Dante could be a fascinating one from an each-way perspective. As a two-year-old he was sent off just 6-1 in the Norfolk, where he blew the start, met trouble in running, but finished powerfully to get within a quarter of a length of Perfect Power.

That form, and the subsequent success of second Go Bears Go and fourth Cadamosto, means he could well be better than a mark of 100, but there is no denying how disappointing he has been since.

He returns here following a gelding operation and his trainer is particularly happy with his pre-race form. He is drawn close to that likely pace too, making odds of 33-1 tempting.

Seventh heaven? Dakota Gold and Copper Knight clash

York's biggest meeting begins with a real sense of familiarity, with both Dakota Gold and Copper Knight returning to the Knavesmire seeking to become the track's outright winningmost horse.

The two popular sprinters have this sprint among their six victories at York. Dakota Gold is the one most fancied to land a seventh – an achievement which could be matched by Stradivarius later in the week.

The Michael Dods-trained eight-year-old won at big odds here in May but will need the forecast rain to arrive if he is to take part.

Dakota Gold: a six-time winner at YorkCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Dods said: "We're hoping York get a bit of rain as he needs a bit of cut and we wouldn't run him on fast ground. We'd like to run, he's in good form but it's an extremely competitive race."

Copper Knight struck in this at odds of 18-1 last season but now has to compete off a 9lb higher mark. He has finished down the field on his last two starts.

"He's an absolute superstar," said Will Easterby, son and assistant to trainer Tim. "He's in great form and we always look forward to him running, especially at York where he loves it. He's got a nice draw."

Of the stable's other two runners, he said: "Count D'Orsay is in good form but it'll just depend on the rain as he loves fast ground. The trip should suit him really well. We're hoping Sunday Sovereign will run a good race, he's in good form."

What they say

Ed Walker, trainer of Mountain Peak
He's much better than he showed last time at Ascot, where he ran as though he needed more of a gap between races. We've given him a break and aimed him at this ever since. If he reproduces the form of his Ascot win last month he should run a big race.

Nicola Barron, co-trainer of Zarzyni
His form has been really good this year and we're happy with the way he's been preparing for the race. Since he's hit the turf this season he's been up and away and I think he goes there with a good chance.

Bryan Smart, trainer of Project Dante and Bond Chairman
Bond Chairman hasn't run a bad race all year, he looks well and I'm really happy with him. Project Dante is in cracking form with himself, I hate running two in the same race but we have to go there. They'll both love the trip.

Robert Cowell, trainer of Atalis Bay
He's run well the last twice when things didn't fall right for him, the door closed on him as they say. He's in a good place, he looks really well and this has been the plan since Goodwood. It's competitive but I'm looking forward to running him.

Wednesday's previews:

2.25 York: outsider could prove the value as unexposed juveniles line up in open Acomb

3.00 York: can 'worthy favourite' Secret State handle the step up to Group 2 company?

3.35 York: 'I think he'll stay, no problem' - Haggas on Baaeed's Juddmonte test

Sign up here. New customer offer. Bet £10 on SBK on the 1.50 York on Wednesday, August 17 and get a £10 free bet for each of the remaining races on the card (£60 in total). Only deposits with cards apply (Apple Pay deposits excluded). T&C apply.