DEE EX BEE (NAP) has finally escaped the clutches of Stradivarius and can deservedly notch-up a Group 1 success. He’s found only the latter too good on the last three occasions including over today’s trip in the Gold Cup at Ascot and should have the measure of Cleonte, Who Dares Wins and the Irish raider Falcon Eight. But Call The Wind will likely prove a tougher proposition given he won last year’s renewal with Line Des Ongrais and Mille Et Mille behind. Freddie Head’s charge is also fancied to reverse earlier running with Way To Paris over this longer trip having been beaten by the latter over 1m6f here in July with Holdthasigreen further behind.
Dee Ex Bee 3-1 (9-3) Led and set even pace, quickened inside final mile, pushed along 5f out, ridden 3f out, headed entering final 2f, lost 2nd over 1f out, plugged on into 2nd post, never any chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Stradivarius (9-6) at York 2m Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Mille Et Mille (9-4) 4th of 9, 5 3/4l behind Marmelo (9-4) at Deauville 1m 7f Grp 2 gd in Aug.
Way To Paris (9-2) 2nd of 4, 2l behind Waldgeist (9-2) at ParisLongchamp 1m 4f Grp 2 gd in Sep.
Holdthasigreen (FR) (8-13) 5th of 6, 6 1/4l behind Way To Paris (8-13) at ParisLongchamp 1m 6f Grp 2 stks gs in Jul.
Who Dares Wins (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, almost snatched 3rd ,, 4th of 16, 4 3/4l behind Withhold (9-10) at Newbury 2m hcp (2) gs in Jul.
Cleonte (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Led early, led after 3f, quickened 4f out, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, not quicken, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Stradivarius (9-10) at Doncaster 2m 2f Grp 2 (1) gf in Sep.
Falcon Eight (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Always last, outpaced 4f out, never any chance, last of 4, 17 1/4l behind Stradivarius (9-6) at York 2m Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Call The Wind (9-8) 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Marmelo (9-4) at Deauville 1m 7f Grp 2 gd in Aug.
Funny Kid (USA) (9-3) 3rd of 8, 5 1/2l behind Palpitator (8-13) at Deauville 1m 7f lst stks gd in Jul.
Line Des Ongrais (FR) (8-10) 5th of 6, 4 3/4l behind Called To The Bar (9-4) at ParisLongchamp 1m 7f Grp 3 gd in Sep.