Flight Delayed

[Wandering Eyes]

Everywhere he has turned this year Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s Dee Ex Bee (GB) (Farhh {GB}) has met at least one immoveable force, and connections will be hoping that another is not lurking among his trio of opponents in Saturday’s G3 Qatar Gordon S. at Goodwood. While a second placing in the June 2 G1 Epsom Derby could never be described as disappointing, particularly when he started at 20-1, he has twice since failed to capitalise on seemingly less-demanding contests. Behind eight other rivals in both the G1 Irish Derby at The Curragh June 30 and in the July 14 G1 Grand Prix de Paris, he again encounters the fast ground that was probably to blame for those reversals but connections could not resist this opportunity.

“Plan A was to bring Mildenberger (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) here for it, but sadly he has just missed a bit too much time since Ascot and we are not happy bringing him here at this stage,” trainer Mark Johnston’s son and assistant Charlie explained. “We made the entry for Dee Ex Bee on Monday morning, as there were only six in it at that stage, and it was one of those we felt too good to pass by really. We don’t want to go to the well too often on fast ground this summer as we want to still have the horse in good form for his main target, the St Leger [but] he is eight pounds clear on official ratings. We know he handles the track, as he won here last year. We will walk the track on Saturday morning and as long as we are happy, he will take his chance.”

Dee Ex Bee’s biggest problem could be the inclusion of Juddmonte’s filly Sun Maiden (GB) (Frankel {GB}), a 12-length novice stakes winner over 10 furlongs at Salisbury May 17 who ran third behind Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Thursday’s G1 Nassau S. winner Wild Illusion (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G2 Ribblesdale S. over this mile-and-a-half trip at Royal Ascot June 21. As a half-sister to the brilliant Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who captured three renewals of the Nassau here, the   ‘TDN Rising Star’ has the pedigree to excel and Sir Michael Stoute’s string are in a good place at the moment.

Charlie Appleby relies on the July 14 Woodford Reserve H. winner Cross Counter (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) and he said of the Ascot scorer, “He is stepping up in class, but we feel that he is capable of taking on better horses now and this should hopefully give us a pointer for the rest of the season.”

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