1st-Apr-2023

I am backing Bandinelli in the Queen’s Prize.

Charlie Appleby’s horse won the race last year off a mark of 95, and he is only 2lb higher today.  That gives him a real chance.

He hasn’t won again since, but he was highly tried, he ran in some of the most competitive staying handicaps on the calendar, including the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot and the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle, in which he finished a good sixth behind Trueshan.

He ran well last time, over today’s course and distance in December, when he finished a close-up third behind Pons Aelius and Rainbow Dreamer, and he should be able to step up on that now.  It is probable that this race has been his target again for a little while, and he is nicely drawn in stall three, given his prominent style of racing.

BANDINELLI WON (ADV 11/2, SP 11/2)