Dee Ex Bee Looms Large in Irish Derby

Frankie Dettori, bidding to ride his second Irish Derby (G1) winner June 30 when he takes the mount on Knight To Behold, has revealed he is most afraid of Dee Ex Bee and cannot understand why Saxon Warrior is such a short-priced favorite for the race.

The 47-year-old, who won the Irish Derby back in 1994 aboard Balanchine, was earlier in the week snapped up by the connections of Knight To Behold, and while he rates that colt as an interesting contender, Dettori admitted he will have his work cut out to beat Dee Ex Bee on Saturday.

He said: "I don't understand why Dee Ex Bee is not favorite for the race as he's the one I fear the most.

"He's proved at Epsom that he stays, and he's already beaten Saxon Warrior, so I can't believe how the bookmakers have priced it up. It doesn't make sense to me."

Dettori added: "The Epsom form usually stands the test of time, and I would really be more worried about Dee Ex Bee than the favorite Saxon Warrior as I think he has it all to prove again after the Derby.

"Nevertheless, Saxon Warrior is a Two Thousand Guineas (G1) winner, but to me, Dee Ex Bee is a proven stayer and the race may suit him better."

Saxon Warrior is a top-priced 8-11 shot with Paddy Power, while Dee Ex Bee is freely available at odds of 4-1. Dettori's mount Knight To Behold is a general 20-1 chance.

Speaking about Knight To Behold, Dettori said: "I'm looking forward to a good run from him. He's only run four times in his life, and I'm hoping for a little bit of improvement. He's interesting.

"Prior to Epsom, he was one of the favorites for the Derby, as he beat Kew Gardens in the Lingfield Derby Trial, and that horse franked the form at Royal Ascot, so I'm hopeful."

The Italian's latest Curragh classic was recorded in effortless fashion last season when he partnered Enable to win the Darley Irish Oaks (G1) and, before that, he lit up Irish Champions Weekend when making all on Willie Mullins' Wicklow Brave to inflict a shock defeat on Order of St George in the 2016 Palmerstown House Estate Irish St Leger (G1).

Dettori will be riding at the new-look Curragh for the first time and acknowledged the racecourse will be different to what he has been used to down through the years with the two-year redevelopment taking shape quite rapidly.

He said: "It will be interesting to see the Curragh on Saturday. It should be good—Derby day, hot weather, and I'm sure it's going to be a good turnout. It has all of the ingredients to be a great day for everyone.

"I love riding there. I'm good friends with Johnny (Murtagh), and I stay with him whenever I'm riding in Ireland.

"We've got something in common in that we've both got five kids and he used to stay with me when he was riding at Newmarket and now it's me staying with him at the Curragh.

"It's a wonderful track full of tradition, and I always love coming over. Balanchine was a special horse for me because she was my first classic winner when she won the Oaks in 1994 before she went on to beat the boys in the Irish Derby.

"She's my only Irish Derby winner so far, but you got to go into every race thinking you can win, and I'll be doing the best I can to win my second on Saturday."