Sheikh buys Bandari for Derby bid

Bandari, impressive winner of Lingfield's Derby Trial, has been bought by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum and will be supplemented at a cost of £90,000 for the Epsom classic.

The surprise news ends long-running speculation on whether the Mark Johnston-trained colt, who has not been engaged in the £1.2 million event at either entry stage to date, would line up on 8 June.

Bookmakers had nonetheless priced up Bandari as the third favourite, behind Aidan O'Brien-trained duo Hawk Wing and High Chaparral. Punters could take the odds 'with a run', meaning stakes would be returned if the colt didn't start.

Bandari's omission from the Derby prompted fierce debate, fuelled by Johnston, on whether it represents value for money. The Middleham trainer believes owners' entry fees provide too great a proportion of the prize money.

Talks were ongoing with then-owner, leading Dubai businessman Abdulla Al Rostamani, on whether to pay the supplementary fee required to enter at this late stage. But Bandari's new owner has ended that debate, indicating the colt could be his sole representative in the classic.

"My instructions are to supplement Bandari on 1 June as long as the horse is well and Mark Johnston is happy with him but Sheikh Hamdan's Tholjanah is recovering from a setback and is unlikely to make the Derby," confirmed racing manager, Angus Gold.

Queen's Logic is out of Sunday's Irish 1,000 Guineas due to coughing. It's the second classic the filly has missed within a month after lameness counted her out of Newmarket's version. Trainer Mick Channon now hopes she will recover in time for Royal Ascot's Coronation Stakes on 21 June.