HALLOWED BEE THY NAME

Colt will fight the good fight against Warrior

DESPITE the obvious claims of Saxon Warrior, Investec Derby runner-up Dee Ex Bee looks the horse to beat in today’s €1.5m Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh.

Saxon Warrior, bidding to give Aidan O’brien his 13th win in the race, will be sent off a strong odds-on favourite to bounce back from his defeat in the Investec Derby at Epsom.

And, judged on his convincing victory in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas, beating longshot Tip Two Win and subsequent Derby winner Masar, and his Racing Post Trophy win in October, the 121-rated Ballydoyle colt deserves the height of respect.

In Epsom, Saxon Warrior started 4/5 favourite, was denied a clear run on two occasions in the straight and plugged on to finish fourth, beaten four and a half lengths, behind Masar.

He was not what I would describe as ‘an unlucky loser’, but would have finished a bit closer if he had enjoyed better luck in running.

Aidan O’brien’s record in the Irish Derby is awesome, with favourites and outsiders alike. But, on the evidence of Epsom, I don’t think Saxon Warrior represents betting value at significant odds-on.

And each-way support of Epsom runner-up Dee Ex Bee, at around 4/1, appeals more.

Mark Johnston’s colt has triumphed only twice, at Goodwood and Epsom and was beaten by Young Rascal in the Chester Vase in early May.

But he ran a cracking race in the Investec Derby, despite not handling the track, and Tattenham Corner in particular, very well.

He chased Masar through the final two furlongs and stayed on stoutly to the line to be beaten a length and a half, with Saxon Warrior three lengths in fourth.

The Curragh track, a greater test of stamina than Epsom, looks tailor-made for Dee Ex Bee, the mount again of Britain’s champion Silvestre de Sousa, below, and would be an appropriate winner – DXB is the code for Dubai International Airport.

Neither Saxon Warrior nor Dee Ex Bee has raced on ground drier than good. But both camps are confident a fast surface will bring out the best in their colts.

The two marketleaders look well ahead of the rest, including

Godolphin’s

winner of the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot and to be ridden by William Buick.

Harry Dunlop’s keen when making all to beat Kew Gardens in the Lingfield Derby Trial, dropped away tamely, having made the running at Epsom and will reportedly be ridden with more restraint this time by Frankie Dettori.

In addition to Saxon Warrior, O’brien runs

and

all apparently playing minor roles.

Michael Halford’s

still looked green when beating

(will be ridden by Donnacha O’brien today) in the Gallinule last time, but both probably have to step-up significantly.