No distance doubts for Johnston

Mark Johnston has backed Dee Ex Bee to handle the conditions when he heads to Saturday’s Irish Derby.

The three-year-old arrives at the Curragh on the back of a second place in the Epsom Derby, having also finished as the runner-up in the Chester Vase.

Connections are hopeful he can break his duck for the campaign in County Kildare and his showing at Epsom could prove significant as he beat Saturday’s favourite, 2000 Guineas winner Saxon Warrior, by three lengths.

The colt usually excels on fast ground and Johnston believes he will be suited to anything the Curragh can throw at him.

The Middleham handler said: “We are all hopeful the Curragh will suit him better and we will see the best of him on Saturday. He has won at Epsom, but he is a big horse and I’m sure he will enjoy the Curragh a lot more.

“There was cut in the ground at Epsom and we know he handles cut, but I’m pretty confident he’ll handle fast ground as well.”