Mark Johnston considering next step for St Leger contender Dee Ex Bee after defeat in France
The three-year-old has been slightly disappointing in two starts since finishing second in the Derby
FUTURE plans for Derby runner-up Dee Ex Bee are up in the air following his latest flop.
The three-year-old finished a never-dangerous third in the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp on Saturday.
He was also a disappointing seventh in the Irish Derby last month, with both defeats coming on fast ground.
The St Leger at Doncaster on 15 September is the colt's main target for the remainder of the season.
The combination of the 1m6f race distance and likelier softer going is expected to suit the son of Farhh.
However, assistant trainer Charlie Johnston said that a route to the final Classic of the season has not been decided.
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He said: "He's come out of the race fine, but obviously it was not the result we wanted.
"At declaration time on Thursday they said the ground would be good to soft, but when I got there and walked it, it was good to firm.
"As we saw in the Irish Derby, over a mile and a half on quick ground, things just happen too quick for him.
"He needs further on that ground.
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"There is no obvious target for him between now and the St Leger.
"There's the Great Voltigeur at York next month, but that's another mile-and-a-half race on likely quick ground.
"Come the Leger, over further and hopefully on ground with a bit of give by then, he should be more at home."