Mark Johnston not scared of tackling Stradivarius once more with Dee Ex Bee

Mark Johnston is willing to have another crack at all-conquering stayer Stradivarius with Dee Ex Bee in the Qatar Goodwood Cup on July 30, despite admitting it will be tough to turn around the Ascot Gold Cup form.

With stamina appearing to be his strong suit, Dee Ex Bee attempted to make all at Royal Ascot, only to be caught out by an impressive finishing kick from Stradivarius at the end of the 2m4f contest.

The trainer, who has won the Goodwood Cup five times, is concerned the drop back to two miles will not play to the strengths of Dee Ex Bee, who stayed on to gallantly to finish a length second behind
Stradivarius last month.

"I've been very happy with him since Ascot and he's looking well, but we know it's a tall order and it's not ideal coming back in trip," he said.

"The extra half a mile was a question going to Ascot, although he gave every impression he would be suited by it, and I think it was confirmed he got every inch of the trip and wouldn't mind a little bit more.

Stradivarius (black): beat Dee Ex Bee (silver) at AscotCredit: Bryn Lennon

"There's absolutely nothing we can do about Stradivarius, but you never run away from one horse. I'm not sure if he has any chinks in his armour. If there is one, I suppose you could say Dee Ex Bee has got more stamina."

Johnston will have an eye on the history books at Goodwood as Stradivarius attempts to join the trainer's hugely popular stayer of the late 1990s Double Trigger as the only three-time winner of the Goodwood Cup.

However, he is not about to change the habit of a lifetime and get involved in tactics in an attempt to deny Stradivarius, who is two races away for landing the £1 million stayers' bonus put up by Weatherbys Hamilton for the second year in a row.

"We've learned more about Dee Ex Bee. Everyone thought he needed soft ground but he clearly doesn't – he just needs a test of stamina," Johnston added.

"It would suit us if it was more of a test of stamina but we've not got a pacemaker in there and, in my opinion, tactics don't win you races, they only get you beat."

Double Trigger played a major role in making Johnston synonymous with Glorious Goodwood, and the trainer is readying a huge team for a meeting at which he has finished leading trainer 12 times.

Visinari (purple): third in the July Stakes last timeCredit: Edward Whitaker

One of the more intriguing contenders in the squad is exciting juvenile Visinari, who impressively won a Newmarket maiden on debut before finishing third back at that course in last week's July Stakes.

A step up to seven furlongs beckons for the Rob Ferguson-owned colt in the Qatar Vintage Stakes, a race Johnston has won with the likes of Mister Baileys and Shamardal.

"It's been a really important race for us over the years and Visinari is our number one two-year-old going to the meeting," he said.

"I had the race in mind after he won his debut and then got greedy going for a Group 2. I was kicking myself at Newmarket last week as we should have stepped him up in trip. I hope he'll be a different horse over seven."

Dark Vision strides to success in the Vintage Stakes at Glorious GoodwoodCredit: Edward Whitaker

Last year's Vintage winner Dark Vision looks the pick of Johnston's team in the Unibet Golden Mile Handicap, another race the Middleham stable has dominated with five previous victories.

"He's been a little bit disappointing since winning the Vintage Stakes last year but he's a class horse and you need a Group horse to win the Mile," the trainer said.

"He's probably our best chance in the race and as you need to get rolling in these types of races, we might put some headgear on for the first time."

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