Mildenberger and Dee Ex Bee missing from King Edward VII Stakes

The King Edward VII will not feature the Mark Johnston-trained pair of Dee Ex Bee and Mildenberger after the pair were not declared for Friday's Group 2 at Royal Ascot.

While Dee Ex Bee's omission was not unexpected, with the Derby runner-up in line to contest the Irish equivalent at the Curragh later this month, Mildenberger's absence was more surprising.

Winner of the Feilden Stakes before finishing runner-up to Roaring Lion in the Dante, Mildenberger was ante-post favourite for the King Edward VII before declarations.

Nine runners will contest the race, with Aidan O'Brien saddling three in Delano Roosevelt, Giuseppe Garibaldi and Rostropovich.

Ascot Friday cards and declarations

A field of 22 has been declared for the Commonwealth Cup, with favourite Equilateral's rivals including Sioux Nation, Sands Of Mali and Invincible Army.

The other Group 1 on Friday's card, the Coronation Stakes, brings together three 1,000 Guineas heroines.

Surprise 66-1 Newmarket winner Billesdon Brook was supplemented for the race, and will take on Alpha Centauri, who won the Irish equivalent and the David Simcock-trained Teppal, who triumphed in France.

Aidan O'Brien, who won the race last year with Winter, this time relies on Clemmie.

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