King Edward VII favourite Dee Ex Bee 'likely to go to Ireland' says Johnston

A decision on whether Derby runner-up Dee Ex Bee will appear at Royal Ascot or head to the Curragh the following week to take on Saxon Warrior in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby is a couple of days away, connections stressed on Sunday.

The colt was left in Friday's King Edward VII Stakes at the forfeit stage on Saturday.

Dee Ex Bee runs in the silks of Sheikh Mohammed’s son Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, and his price for the King Edward VII varies wildly, with bet365 – who are non-runner no bet – quoting him as 7-2 favourite, while Betfair Sportsbook are as big as 12-1. He is second favourite for the Irish Derby at a general 5-1.

Charlie Johnston, assistant trainer to his father Mark, said: "No decision will be made until the middle of the week. I think it is likely he will go to Ireland, but he is still in the King Edward on Friday so we will need to speak to Sheikh Hamdan and the team, and then we will make a decision from there."

Charlie Johnston: 'No decision will be made until the middle of the week'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Declarations for the Group 2 King Edward – known as the Ascot Derby – have to be made on Wednesday morning. General favourite at 4-1 is Dee Ex Bee's stablemate Mildenberger, also owned by Sheikh Hamdan.

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