Johnston's Classic hopes taking shape Mark Johnston believes Chester Vase runner-up Dee Ex Bee is more likely to run in the Investec Derby than Dante second Mildenberger. Both colts are owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, with Dee Ex Bee having finished second in both his races this season by a narrow margin, chasing home Crossed Baton at Epsom and Young Rascal at Chester. Mildenberger won the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket, but was put in his place by Roaring Lion at York last week. Speaking of Mildenberger, Johnston said: “The owner also has Dee Ex Bee, who is in the Derby. He ran really well at Chester and I think if one of the two runs, it is more likely to be him.” Another Classic contender for the yard is Elarqam, who was fourth in the 2000 Guineas and he will now head to the Curragh on Saturday. “Elarqam should go to the Irish Guineas and all is great, couldn’t be better,” said the Middleham handler.
