Dee Ex Bee out to escape the shadow of Stradivarius in intriguing Cadran

Qatar Prix du Cadran (Group 1) 4yo+ | 2m4f | SSR

Much as with Magical and her nemesis Enable, Dee Ex Bee has found his way barred to Group 1 success by a John Gosden-trained superstar.

The son of Farhh won two of the best Gold Cup trials and was sent off at 7-2 for his first meeting with Stradivarius, only to come off second best.

The sequence was continued at Goodwood and York, before fast ground at Doncaster put an end to the chances of a fourth clash.

Mark Johnston's high-class inmate now has the chance to prove himself the second-best stayer in the Northern Hemisphere on ground with more give in it and with his great rival tucked up in his box in Newmarket.

"This looks a good opportunity for Dee Ex Bee to get his head back in front," said Johnston. "He's run a number of good races in defeat this year and the cut in the ground should suit him here. The plan is to keep him in training next year."

Classy Way To Paris steps up in trip

This weekend last year, Way To Paris was a runner in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and fits a similar profile to De Ex Bee as a horse with excellent back-form over a mile and a half.

Indeed Andrea Marcialis, having campaigned Way To Paris as a stayer this term, opted to warm up in the Prix Foy, with the six-year-old far from disgraced when running on to claim second behind Waldgeist.

Way To Paris: needs to prove staminaCredit: Racing Post / Scott Burton

The son of Champs Elysees got the better of Marmelo over a mile-six at Longchamp in July and has showed he stays two miles, so the question for Marcialis is whether Cristian Demuro can keep enough up his sleeve to last an extra half mile against horses confirmed over the trip.

"He has won over 3,000 metres [one mile six furlongs] and we didn't have any option but to run in this race," Marcialis said. "He finished well over that trip so I hope 4,000 metres will be okay for him. He ran very well behind Waldgeist and he loves soft ground so I am quite confident."

What's in a name?

The Prix du Cadran is named after the clock face in the Ecole Militaire, which overlooks the Champ de Mars, now home to the Eiffel Tower but home to racing in Paris until the opening of Longchamp in 1858

What they say

Bruno Audouin, trainer of Holdthasigreen
He is making a bit of a comeback run after having a few physical problems, which we have now resolved. Here he faces race-fit rivals and while he is ready, it remains to be seen if he can be competitive in the race.

Henry Ponsonby, part-owner of Who Dares Wins
It's all looking very good and we're very excited. He's in really good form and will love the ground and the distance, while we've got a really good French jockey in Pierre-Charles Boudot riding.

Freddy Head, trainer of Call The Wind
I'm very happy with him. We've followed a similar programme to last year and I don't think I've ever had him better.

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