Bandari set for Derby following sale

Bandari was today finally declared on course for the Vodafone Derby after being sold.

Nearly two weeks of speculation was put to an end by the announcement that the colt has been sold privately to Hamdan Al Maktoum with the intention of running at Epsom.

The three-year-old`s participation had been in the balance ever since his runaway win in the Lingfield Derby Trial early this month, with owner Abdulla Al Rostamani and trainer Mark Johnston mulling over whether to fork out the Stg#90,000 supplementary entry fee.

But Sheikh Hamdan, deputy ruler of Dubai and minister of finance and industry, has now stepped in to buy the colt in an attempt to land his third Derby win, following Nashwan (1989) and Erhaab (1994).

His racing manager Angus Gold told the Rostamani-owned Gulf News newspaper: 'Sheikh Hamdan called me earlier today to say that he has acquired the horse from Mr Rostamani. Obviously the aim is to run him in the Epsom classic.

'It`s only been a couple of hours since the sale and I`m afraid I don`t have too many details. However, I can confirm that the horse will remain with trainer Mark Johnston who will prepare him for Epsom.'

Bandari won by a record 13 lengths at Lingfield and Gold added: 'He was very impressive that day and certainly looked a Group One horse. Going by that performance I think he deserves his place in the Derby.

'Sheikh Hamdan has a keen eye for horses. Obviously he saw something he liked, and he is seldom wrong. He`s a great sport and it would be nice to see him with a runner in the Derby.'

Bandari had won four out of five starts for leading Dubai businessman Al Rostamani but was not in the Derby, of whose entry system Johnston has been very critical.

Johnston confirmed that Bandari is now set to be trained for the Derby.

He said: 'The decision on supplementing him will be left until the last minute and will depend on the well-being of the horse but I understand he is being aimed a Epsom.

'I don`t know about riding arrangements as I have never had a horse for Sheikh Hamdan before.

'He looks the best chance I have had for the Derby. A few years ago we had Mister Baileys but there were already question-marks abut his staying the trip as he had finished third in the Dante.

'There should be no doubt about Bandari staying the trip and he should handle the track. And the way his form has panned out in the last week or so you would say he could be the best British challenger.'

Johnston could yet be double-handed as a decision is pending on whether to supplement Fight Your Corner, who has been sold to another member of the Maktoum family since his victory in the Chester Vase.

'The sale has gone through but I have had no instruction about whether he will be put in the Derby,' the trainer said.