Dee Ex Bee Out to Escape Stradivarius' Shadow in Cadran
Image:
Description:
Photo: Edward Whitaker/Racing Post
Dee Ex Bee wins the Henry II Stakes at Sandown
Much as with Magical and her nemesis Enable, Dee Ex Bee has found his way barred to group 1 success by a John Gosden-trained superstar.
The son of Farhh won two of the best Gold Cup (G1) trials and was sent off at 7-2 for his first meeting with Stradivarius, only to come off second-best.
The sequence was continued at Goodwood and York, before fast ground at Doncaster put an end to the chances of a fourth clash.
Mark Johnston's high-class runner now has the chance to prove himself Oct. 5 in the Qatar Prix du Cadran (G1) as the second-best stayer in the Northern Hemisphere—on ground with more give in it and with his great rival tucked up in his box in Newmarket.
"This looks a good opportunity for Dee Ex Bee to get his head back in front," Johnston said. "He's run a number of good races in defeat this year, and the cut in the ground should suit him here. The plan is to keep him in training next year."
Classy Way To Paris Steps Up in Trip
This weekend last year, Way To Paris was a runner in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) and fits a similar profile to De Ex Bee as a horse with excellent back-form over 1 1/2 miles.
Indeed, Andrea Marcialis, having campaigned Way To Paris as a stayer this term, opted to warm up in the Qatar Prix Foy (G2), with the 6-year-old far from disgraced when running on to claim second behind Waldgeist.
The son of Champs Elysees got the better of Marmelo over a mile and six furlongs at ParisLongchamp in July and has showed he stays two miles, so the question for Marcialis is whether Cristian Demuro can keep enough up his sleeve to last an extra half-mile against horses confirmed over the trip.
"He has won over 3,000 meters (approximately 1 3/4 miles) and we didn't have any option but to run in this race," Marcialis said. "He finished well over that trip, so I hope 4,000 meters will be OK for him. He ran very well behind Waldgeist and he loves soft ground, so I am quite confident."
For more European racing, sales, and bloodstock news, visit RacingPost.com.