tracked leaders, effort to challenge 2f out, went 2nd when ridden over 1f out, kept on, readily outpaced by winner inside final furlong
held up behind, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, switched outside and shaken up over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, went 3rd and kept on inside final furlong, no impression
raced keenly, prominent 2f, held up behind, outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden, no chance with leaders
led, driven and headed over 2f out, soon lost place and beaten, weakened final furlong
soon tracked leader, challenged over 3f out, driven to lead over 2f out, soon ridden, drew readily clear inside final furlong
in touch, driven to chase leaders when not clear run 2f out to over 1f out, soon ridden, no impression in 4th final furlong
Dee Ex Bee competed without success at the highest level for most of last year though finished in front of Raymond Tusk when fourth in the St Leger while the latter’s stablemate Danehill Kodiac raced only twice last season and hasn’t won since landing the Cumberland Lodge here in 2017. Runner-up in the Ebor at York, WEEKENDER (NAP) went on to place behind Flag Of Honour in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh in September. John Gosden’s charge has been gelded subsequently and is worth another try over today’s trip having placed in last year’s Henry II over 2m at Sandown. Amazing Red, Cleonte and high-class hurdler Verdana Blue look up against it on these terms though the latter remains unexposed under this code and may be capable of better.
Raymond Tusk (IRE) (9-0) 6th of 14, 4 1/4l behind French King (9-0) at Doha 1m 4f Grp 1 gf in Feb.
Amazing Red (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Close up in 4th, pushed along and headway entering final 2f, ridden to press winner inside final furlong, not quicken close home, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Elegiac (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 6f lst stks (1) gf in Apr.
Cleonte (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Towards rear, headway and close up 4f out, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, went 3rd and kept on final furlong, not quite reach front pair, 3rd of 33, 1 1/2l behind Low Sun (9-2) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp stks (2) gf in Oct.
Danehill Kodiac (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Led 1f, tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, soon chased winner, one pace inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Idaho (9-0) at Chester 1m 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in May.
Weekender 7-2 (9-4) Mid-division on outside, ridden and weakened quickly over 2f out, 7th of 10, 21 1/2l behind Morando (9-4) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Oct.
Dee Ex Bee (9-2) 3rd of 7, 8l behind Iquitos (9-6) at Munich 1m 4f Grp 1 sft in Nov.
Verdana Blue (IRE) 4-1fav (11-10) Held up behind, steady headway when not fluent 3 out, soon tracked leaders, led between last 2, drew readily clear from last, easily, won at Ayr 2m hcp (1) gd in Apr beating Dino Velvet (10-4) by 7l, 14 ran.
