By Daithi Harvey
Progressive stayer Dee Ex Bee (GB) (Farhh {GB}) could have another crack at dethroning the champ Stradivarius (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G1 Qatar Goodwood Cup next month. The Mark Johnston trained 4-year-old finished a game second to Bjorn Nielsen's brilliant stayer in the G1 Ascot Gold Cup last week and despite being under no pretensions over the potential task of reversing the placings, connections are keen to let the horse take his chance. Tackling two and a half miles for the first time Dee Ex Bee appeared to relish the trip at Ascot and according to his trainer's son Charlie Johnston, the horse has taken the race well. “Dee Ex Bee has come out of the Gold Cup well and, although we are no longer in the running for the WH Stayers' Million, the Qatar Goodwood Cup looks a fairly obvious next target,” he said.
“It was a great run in defeat and again he showed what a fantastic attitude he has, coming from looking like he would finish third or fourth at the furlong marker to getting back up for second in the final stride. The winner is a true champion who has shown now over the last 18 months that regardless of what conditions are thrown at him, he finds a way to win. And on that particular day, Frankie [Dettori] at one stage seemed almost invincible.” The Johnstons are keen to find an angle where they can eke out any improvement in Dee Ex Bee and being less forceful is one option they are considering. “Going forward, we are thinking that it is probably not ideal for our horse to make his own running. Having something to aim at might help him, as he enjoys a battle. We came off second-best and are under no illusions that the winner will start favourite again, but we are looking forward to having another crack at him,” he added.
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