Brian Meehan came close to a first Classic victory when Delegator was beaten by Sea The Stars in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier this month.

But tomorrow at York, the Manton trainer is expecting Crowded House (2.40) to win the Dante Stakes and provide him with another chance of success at the very top level.

Having been narrowly denied with the Guineas favourite, Meehan is starting to feel the weight of expectation to convert Classic aspirations into reality - mainly from himself.

He said: "The only pressure I feel is that everyone who has trained at Manton has trained a Classic winner. I don't want to be the one that doesn't."

Manton, the Wiltshire estate owned since 1984 by the Sangster family, has housed no less than 49 Classic winners since Alec Taylor sent out Gang Forward to win the 2,000 Guineas in 1873.

Delegator could make it the half-century for the establishment in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh a week on Saturday, before Crowded House takes the Epsom stage on 6 June.

But first the winter ante-post Derby favourite must not fluff his lines in a top-class, 10-furlong dress rehearsal on the Knavesmire tomorrow.

Meehan, who has been in a bullish mood over his Classic hopefuls this season, said: "I'd like to think that Crowded House will win the Dante. He has always had the Derby as his target.

"We came pretty close to running him in the Guineas, but the Derby was always going to be his race and the Dante seemed the more sensible prep."

David Nicholls has a strong hand in the opening five-furlong handicap and Tournedos (1.40) could be a bit of value against stablemate Strike Up The Band, who had much the better of the draw when the pair met at Chester last week in a race won by Sohraab.

The mile-and-a-quarter Group 3 Middleton Stakes looks a match between the John Gosden-trained Dar Re Mi and Sir Michael Stoute's Crystal Capella (2.10), who should be able to defy 4lb penalty for winning a Group 2 race at Newmarket last October.

Dar Re Mi has not run over a trip this short since finishing third to Lush Lashes here in last season's Musidora Stakes and the ground may also be a little too lively for her.

Yamal (3.10) is an improving four-year-old who possesses a decent turn of foot and has been in good form in Dubai recently.

Saeed bin Suroor's gelding has plenty of speed in his pedigree, but is a relaxed individual who gets a mile well and is favourably drawn.