DEE Ex Bee claimed his first race since his juvenile days when running out an impressive winner of the Group 3 Longines Sagaro Stakes at Ascot.
Mark Johnston’s colt finished second in last year’s Derby before disappointing in the Irish equivalent, but he ran several other good races in defeat, including when fourth in the St Leger.
That race at Doncaster proved staying trips could be his forte this season and William Buick was keen to keep the revs up on the son of Farhh.
Sitting on the shoulder of Weekender and Frankie Dettori, Buick made his challenge early in the straight and gave those in behind a target.
Scottish Champion Hurdle winner Verdana Blue appeared to be going well when a little tight for room, but when the gap eventually appeared, she failed to pick up.
Dee Ex Bee fairly powered home, beating Raymond Tusk by three and a quarter lengths to earn a quote of 14/1 with Betfair for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in June.
Rebel floors Lady Pauline
VENTURA Rebel floored odds-on favourite Lady Pauline in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Royal Ascot Two-Year-Old Trial Conditions Stakes at Ascot.
All eyes were on the Wesley Ward-trained juvenile, who is a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Lady Aurelia, as she attempted to back up her debut success at Keeneland last month in the five-furlong contest.
Everything looked to be going to plan for the 4/11 favourite at the two-furlong pole, with John Velazquez sitting confidently at the head of the field.
CHANGED
That picture quickly changed when Velazquez asked for Lady Pauline’s finishing effort though, and as her stride began to shorten, she was eventually reeled in by the Richard Fahey-trained Ventura Rebel, who went on to claim victory by a length at odds of 20/1.
The winner, who was claiming a second career success, was introduced at 14/1 by Coral for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and Tom Palin, spokesman for owners Middleham Park Racing, said: “I don’t there was any fluke about that.
“It was a nice, honest race and it probably rode like a nice race. We did it on debut in the same manner and we have really put them to the sword today.
“Since his debut he has sharpened up a lot. He did a really nice piece of work a week and a bit ago, and Richard rang me and said that Ascot race is where you go and you will run well. I’ve never heard Richard talk about one of ours like that.
“I think he is a proper horse. I think Paul was suggesting it took him a long to pull him up and with the manner he was finishing it off – all roads lead to the Coventry with him now.”
Velazquez pointed to the long trip as a possible reason why Lady Pauline came up just short: “I thought she ran well. It seemed like she got tired in the last 16th of a mile. She has only been here a few days and part of the trip might have knocked it out of her a little bit.”
John Velazquez with William Buick at Ascot. Photo Healy Racing
BARNEY BACK
Group 1 winner Barney Roy was beaten on his comeback from an aborted career at stud, doing enough as he finished runner-up to Zaaki in the Listed Paradise Stakes, giving connections hope he can return to his Group 1-winning best later in the season.
“We’re delighted to get him back on track but William Buick just thought he travelled a bit too well into it,” said trainer Charlie Appleby, saddling the 2017 St James’s Palace Stakes winner for the first time.