Peter Chapple-Hyam could target next month's Dante meeting at York with two of his Classic hopefuls

Peter Chapple-Hyam may go the Authorized route and tackle the Betfred Dante Stakes at York with exciting prospect Arod.

The Newmarket-based trainer took the £150,000 Group 2 with subsequent Derby winner Authorized in 2007 and may now opt for this year’s renewal on Thursday, May 15 for his emphatic Windsor maiden victor.

Arod, who carries the familiar Qatar Racing silks, couldn’t have been more impressive when routing his rivals last on 14 April, a performance which saw bookmakers cut his Investec Derby odds to just 33/1.

Chapple-Hyam said: “We have left Arod in the Betfred Dante as all options are open to him. He won his maiden very easily and is a very exciting colt. I haven’t discussed plans with his owners yet but he’s in good form and I am happy with him.”

The Group 3 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes to be run the previous day –Wednesday 14 May 14, an Investec Oaks Trial run over the same extended mile and a quarter as the Betfred Dante Stakes, is the intended target for another of Chapple-Hyam’s Classic hopefuls, Inchila.

The Dylan Thomas filly won a competitive maiden at Newbury’s Greenham meeting and is held in her regard by her trainer.

He added: “Inchilla won what is traditionally a very good maiden at Newbury. She did it well and will be suited to faster ground. She is a nice filly and the plan is to aim her at the Musidora Stakes.”

Fellow Newmarket-based trainer Stuart Williams is targeting the Duke Of York Clipper Logistics Stakes, also run on that opening day of York’s season, for his top sprinter Eton Rifles.

At the age of nine, Eton Rifles is a veteran in the flat racing sphere but the son of Pivotal proved he was as good as ever with a comfortable victory on his seasonal reappearance in the Listed Prix Cor De Chasse at Fontainebleau on 28 March.

His ten career wins to date include six at Listed level, in addition to a brace of placed efforts in York races. Eton Rifles is equally effective over five or the six furlongs on offer on the Knavesmire and if conditions are in his favour, Williams would be keen to have a crack at the £100,000 Group 2 sprint.

He said: “I would love to run Eton Rifles at York. If the ground is good or softer he’ll take his chance. If he gets his preferred ground he is very good and although he is getting on a bit, he seems as good as ever.”

“He has already won a Listed race this year and I would like to step him up to Group company. He has been in great form at home since his win in France and is training well.”

“The owners come from near York so for him to run in the Duke Of York Stakes would be great.”