BANDARI is fancied to give Mark Johnston his inaugural success in what still remains arguably the world's greatest flat race, the £1,200,000 Group 1 Vodafone Derby at Epsom this afternoon.

The Derby has been the subject of some ferocious criticism over the past few years, not least from Johnston himself, unhappy with the entry system which heavily penalises owners and trainers who are not prepared to enter their horses at the yearling stage.

That was the case in point for Bandari, featured in this season's Racing North ten-to-follow list on the strength of his runaway win over a mile in Listed race on rain-softened ground at Pontefract last season.

Despite not actually being entered for Epsom at the time, Bandari reappeared last month at Lingfield in the Derby trial, an event in which I foolishly opposed Bandari thinking the ground would be too fast.

Just occasionally it's nice to be proved wrong, and when the smart three-year-old crossed the line 13 lengths clear of the opposition, he left trainer Johnston with a huge dilemma.

Having declined to enter Bandari in the Derby as a yearling for a little over £300, should he now advise owner Abdullah Al-Rostamani to stump up the astronomical sum of £90,000 to supplement his horse for mile-and-a-half Classic at Epsom?

Fortunately the problem was solved without too much head scratching when the leading Dubai-based racehorse owner, Hamdan Al Maktoum, snapped up Bandari in a deal reputed to be worth around £2000,000.

Having splashed out that sort of cash, it was no great surprise to see Hamdan promptly cough up the other 90 grand to put his newly-acquired three-year-old colt bang, slap in the Derby picture.

Although Bandari won on a fast ground at Lingfield, I do believe he is even better on an easy surface, subsequently things couldn't have worked out much better because it's been raining cats and dogs at the course for most of the latter part of the week.

Also from a tactical point of view, Bandari's aggressive style of running - he's not a hold-up horse - suits the conditions to perfection. Just as yesterday's virtual all-the-way Oaks winner, Kazzia proved, it's a fact that when the ground is riding gluey, it's invariably best to be up with the pace and bag the massive advantage of racing against the near-side rail, rather than rely on a late surge.

Having sung the praises of Bandari, Johnston's other runner in the race, Fight Your Corner, cannot be discounted.

Kevin Darley, who has ridden both horses, is adamant Fight Your Corner is the pick of the pair. He won his trial at Chester in a blisteringly fast time, has prevailed on easy ground in the past, and stays the 12-furlong Derby distance admirably well.

Most of the talk in the press this week about the race has surrounded the Aidan O'Brien trio, Hawk Wing, High Chaparral, and the third string, Louisville, for whom Kieren Fallon has been booked.

O'Brien, responsible for sending out the winner 12 months ago, Galileo, clearly holds a strong hand. Strong enough in fact that stable jockey, Mick Kinane, has been in a quandary as to which one to ride.

He ultimately opted for Hawk Wing, who was so unlucky not to win our 2,000 Guineas when having to race all by himself up the centre of the course at Newmarket under a perplexing ride from Jamie Spencer.

Some sources in Ireland reckon Hawk Wing is ten lengths superior to High Chaparral, and if that is true then Hawk Wing should theoretically finish ahead of his stable-mate, due to be partnered by Johnny Murtagh.

The remainder of the card is of breath-taking quality, including the Listed £40,000 Woodcote Stakes for two-year-olds.

It would be encouraging for the Johnston team if they could get the day off to a winning start - a distinct possibility with The Bonus King (2.30) holding a major chance.

The selection won with his head in his chest at Ripon last week, and it's worth remembering the stable have enjoyed success in the race before via the ultra-speedy Gothenberg.

An even more thrilling contest promises to be the £100,000 Vodafone Dash over five furlongs, in which Bishops Court bids to take the money for the second year in a row.

Bishops Court seems bound to go close again, although my preference is for Smart Predator (4.35), involved in a strange incident at the track last August when some of the stalls opened a fraction later than the others.

The winner on that occasion, Boleyn Castle, was one of the fortunate ones, unlike Smart Predator, who did extremely well under the circumstances to finish runner-up.

In the closing Vizzazi Handicap, Brevity (5.45), from Milton Bradley's in form yard, will be devilishly difficult to catch provided he breaks well and makes full use of his handy high draw.

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