Irish Derby likely next stop for Epsom runner-up Dee Ex Bee

Investec Derby runner-up Dee Ex Bee appears increasingly likely to line up in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh on June 30.

Mark Johnston’s charge found only Godolphin’s Masar too strong in the premier Classic and his trainer, Charlie Appleby, confirmed yesterday that his Epsom hero is going to sidestep the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and instead aim for the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on July 7.

His anticipated defection means the door is open for Dee Ex Bee, who carries the colours of Godolphin supremo Sheikh Mohammed’s son, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, to try to go one better in Ireland.