Bee’s buzzing for champ
CHAMPION jock Silvestre de Sousa will ride Dee Ex Bee in Saturday’s Investec Derby at Epsom.
Mark Johnston has booked him for the colt, who has been placed in the Epsom and Chester trials. Johnston’s son and assistant, Charlie, said: “Silvestre won on Dee Ex Bee first time out last August at Goodwood. He has a great record at Epsom and we’re all set for Saturday.” Johnston is hoping the forecast of rain materialises during the week to aid Dee Ex Bee’s chances. He said: “There’s a possibility of some rain through the week which wouldn’t harm his chance at all. He won at Epsom as a two-year-old in very heavy ground. That would inconvenience others more than it would inconvenience him.”
De Sousa has been in great form throughout the past week, and won yesterday’s feature race at Redcar on Big Country.
Winners
Last Thursday, he partnered five winners, two at Lingfield and three at Chelmsford.
His Derby record is not great but Dee Ex Bee has an each-way chance, something that you could not say about his three previous mounts.
James Doyle will be on Young Rascal, trained by William Haggas, while his Godolphin team mate, William Buick, will be partnering Masar. Buick was busy talking up his mount yesterday. The colt was third in the 2,000 Guineas, a length and a half behind Saxon Warrior and a length in front of Roaring Lion, who went on to win at York.
“I am looking forward to Epsom,” said the jockey, who also rides Wild Illusion in the Oaks, and Hawkbill in the Coronation Cup.
“Masar ran like he will definitely get further than a mile when third in the Guineas. Obviously we meet the winner again but Masar has plenty of experience and a really good attitude. We’re very positive.”
Star Sports Bet’s Derby odds: 8-11 Saxon Warrior, 11-2 Roaring Lion,
10 Young Rascal, 11 Hazapour, 12 Delano Roosevelt, 14 Masar, 16 Knight To Behold, 20 The Pentagon,
25 Dee Ex Bee, Sevenna Star, Kew Gardens, 33 others.