All the hot views from trainers as Dee Ex Bee bids to step up in style

2.25 York
Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (Gr 3) | 7f | 2yo |ITV/RUK

Open only to horses who did not win a race before July 13, the Acomb Stakes is unsurprisingly full of unexposed, later-developing two-year-olds. Nine of the 11 have won a race, and dreams are still alive, but who will be the first to strike at Group level?

Can Dee Ex Bee justify his lofty reputation?

Dee Ex Bee is likely to be sent off a warm favourite on the back of his maiden success at Glorious Goodwood, such was the huge impression he created on debut.

"We don't tend to bring them down here first time out unless they're working well at home," said Middleham-based trainer Mark Johnston following the two-and-a-quarter-length victory, suggesting it had not come as a surprise.

This is a much stiffer task for Dee Ex Bee, but connections are confident the jump in grade is one he can handle.

"It's a big step up from a maiden to a Group race, but he couldn't have been any more impressive at Goodwood and we've liked him for quite a while," said assistant trainer Charlie Johnston. "He has a very good chance."

Johnston jnr also points out the galloping nature of the track at York should suit a juvenile who was so strong in the finish, and whose imposing physique attracted so much attention.

He added: "If anything, York might suit him more than Goodwood as he's a huge horse with a long stride. Hopefully James [Doyle, rider] can get him into a nice rhythm and there should be no excuses."

Victory for Dee Ex Bee would be poignant as he carries the same Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed silks as Permian, who won one of York's premier races in the Dante Stakes earlier in the season, and also triumphed at Royal Ascot, before sadly suffering a fatal injury at Arlington this month.

Best form to come to the fore?

Dee Ex Bee is among a host of exciting prospects with the potential to improve significantly, but James Garfield, who finished third in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot, sets the form standard based on his fourth to Expert Eye in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood.

Trainer George Scott is hoping the likely faster ground at York can see James Garfield in an even better light.

He said: "I really believe he wants top of the ground. He's by Exceed And Excel and has a fast-ground action. At Goodwood, although they were calling it good, it was dead – it was on the soft side.

"He's come out of the race really well and I know he's improving."

Another juvenile bonanza for Burke?

Karl Burke is the man of the moment when it comes to two-year-olds after his one-two in Sunday's Group 1 Prix Morny, and he is represented by the unexposed Beatbox Rhythm, a four-length winner of a 6f novice contest at Pontefract this month.

Burke said: "He's not as quick as the two who ran in the Morny – he's more of a miler for next year — but he's a good-looking colt and is very sound, so who knows how far he can go? He's certainly above-average so deserves to take his chance.

"Good, fast ground shouldn't worry him, and the trip will be fine."

Not top of O'Brien's agenda?

You have to go back to 2000, when Hemingway triumphed, to find Aidan O'Brien's last winner of the Acomb Stakes, which suggests he does not tend to target his best juveniles at the race.

He is represented this year by Fleet Review, who arrives on the back of two wins, both over six furlongs at the Curragh.

Hopeful the step up in trip will suit, O'Brien said: "He's won twice over six furlongs at the Curragh and we always thought he'd get further, so we're looking forward to going seven with him. The better the ground, the more it will suit him."

What they say

Richard Fahey, trainer of Chief Justice
This is a big step up in class for him. The trip should be spot on.

Andrew Balding, trainer of Danzan
He was very impressive last time on his first run on grass, although it was difficult to know what he beat. He's been working well since.

Jeremy Noseda, trainer of Lansky
I was pleased with his first run and he's in good order. The trip, ground and track will suit.

James Bethell, trainer of Ulshaw Bridge
The trip should suit based on the way he was running on at the finish [over six furlongs] at Chester. I think it's worth taking our chance, but this looks a tough race.

Tim Easterby, trainer of Wells Farhh Go
This is a hot race but he's a good horse. He still has a lot to learn, but we've always liked him.

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