A CRACKING renewal of the Dante Stakes will crown the second day of York Racecourse's May Festival - so let's take a look at the likely contenders.

The £150,000 Group 2 contest, over a mile and a quarter, is Britain's richest and most informative Derby trial, having spotlighted the likes of subsequent Epsom winners North Light, Motivator and Authorized in recent renewals.

This time another cracking encounter is on the cards and it is Crowded House who is certain to start off favourite.

Brian Meehan's colt was the long-time Derby favourite until Aidan O'Brien's Fame And Glory won so impressively at Leapordstown in the Derrinstown Derby Trial last week.

He may have eased out a little in the betting this morning but at 7-4 he is still a warm favourite - and I am happy to take him on with something which might represent a bit more value.

Anyone who saw Crowded House's superb victory in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last year can't fail to have been impressed by his quick turn of foot but, several months on, the question now is: what did he beat?

None of his rivals on the Town Moor have subsequently gone on to win a race and that must leave a question mark over the quality of the form.

Crowded House's trainer, Brian Meehan, is certainly bullish about the colt's chances but he was as confident about Delegator in the 2,000 Guineas - and he found Sea The Stars too much to cope with.

I fancy an improving unexposed type can give Crowded House a hell of a fright.

Godolphin's Kite Wood is an interesting runner given his liking for racing up with the pace - a quality which is always a positive at York.

Godolphin also fired in a Knavesmire winner yesterday with Moonquake in the Blue Square Casino Stakes and there are signs that the Dubai-based racing machine are coming back to form.

Jeremy Noseda's Sans Frontieres should enjoy the trip and will also enjoy good ground and I would be minded to have a look at Nehaam were it not for trainer John Gosden's assertion that he isn't yet in Crowded House's league. It's always dangerous to rule out Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle runners and punters were given a pointer to the best of his chances when stable jockey Johnny Murtagh plumped for Freemantle over Black Bear Island.

But with Classic distance colts seemingly coming out of his ears, it remains to be seen how good Freemantle actually is - although it is interesting that his seasonal reappearance is here on Knavesmire and O'Brien says he is ready to go.

Overall, Crowded House probably is the best horse in the race but, at 7-4, I am minded to give him a miss.

Kite Wood, at around 6-1, is much more my kind of price. I'm confident he is capable of better.