The biggest race of the flat season in the UK is now less than two weeks away and the field for the 2018 Investec Derby is starting to take shape.
Trainer Mark Johnston has confirmed that Chester Vase runner-up Dee Ex Bee is more likely to head to Epsom than stablemate Mildenberger with the Scottish trainer finalising his classic plans.
Dee Ex Bee is yet to get his head in front in 2018 but two impressive runs have put him in the frame for the blue riband race of the flat season a week on Saturday. The Son of Farhh started his campaign with a solid 3rd place finish in the Derby Trial last month, before running Young Rascal close in a terrific renewal of the Vase at Chester lats time out.
We saw the 2017 Derby winner, Wings Of Eagles, finish 2nd in the Chester Vase before going on to complete a famous win at Epsom and connections of Dee Ex Bee will certainly be hoping history repeats itself this term.
The same owner, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, also has Mildenberger with Johnston but it appears as if his 2nd in the Dante Stakes at York last week has ruled out any chance of both horses heading to Epsom. Roaring Lion was the runaway winner on the Knavesmire and at this stage a number of reports suggest that Johnston and Sheikh Hamdan will be relying on Dee Ex Bee as their Derby hope.
As for Roaring Lion, no decision has been made about his participation in the Derby with the French version still under consideration at the time of writing. The brilliant winner of the Dante is currently the main threat to Saxon Warrior in the ante-post market for Epsom and connections are expected to declare their intentions with the horse on Tuesday.
