Dee Ex Bee’s French test
GROUP BID: Dee Ex Bee DEE EX BEE will attempt to gain an elusive first Group One success when stepping back up in trip for next month’s Qatar Prix Du Cadran at ParisLongchamp.
Since claiming the second of two Group Three victories this season in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown in May, the Mark Johnston-trained four-year-old has finished second best behind the mighty Stradivarius in the Ascot Gold Cup, Goodwood ante-post lists, the best value wager could well come in the form of
Aiden O’Brien has belatedly found the key to this son of Lope De Vega and he put up a clear career-best effort when dropped to six furlongs last time out to secure the Group Three Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh.
Still yet to grow into his impressive frame, he should take another big physical step forward and at around 12-1 represents very solid each-way value.
O’Brien has an amazing 23 of the 47 entries for the Royal Lodge Stakes but I shall be surprised if any of them are good enough to beat
His second in the Vintage Stakes looks even better now after Pinatubo’s Irish miracle. Cup and most recently in the Lonsdale Cup at York.
Last year’s Derby runner-up will head next to France on October 6 to try to go one better than his last three starts and give Johnston his first win in the two-and-a-half-mile contest.
Charlie Johnston, assistant to his father, said: “Dee Ex Bee will go for the Cadran on Arc weekend and it has been the main aim for quite a while.
“It looks his best chance to win a Group One this season.
“The extra distance will be to his liking and hopefully they will get some give in the ground.
“If we get some good to soft ground out there and Stradivarius doesn’t surprise us by turning up, then it should be tailor-made for him.”