Monsieur Kodi wins again!
Tue 20 Jun 2023
WINNER 52 OF 2023: MONSIEUR KODI, trained by Richard Fahey and ridden by David Nolan: The 'vickers.bet Weekly Free Bet Club Handicap' over 6f at Thirsk.
A gloomy Thirsk, where the going changed from Good, G-S places to Soft all round by the time of his race. Winning 'best turned out' was a good start, but the market wasn't so sure, with three co-favourites ahead of Monsieur Kodi, at 6/1.
A little slowly away, the field moved across to the nearside rail, with David keeping him in midfield. By the 2 furlong marker, the front runners went for home, but he was short of room. Switching right, he squeezed through a gap that appeared on the rail to challenge inside the final furlong. Keeping on well, there were four across the track at this point, but under David's drive he kept on well to take the lead inside the final 100 yards, winning by 1/2 a length.
"Monsieur Kodi, stands side, on top." Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/results/uk/449674-thirsk/20-Jun-2023/1455
Timeform rated it as a career best 91, saying: "Was in a less competitive affair than recently and resumed winning ways with a strong finish back up in trip, getting a gap up the favoured rail to help; prominent, ridden when switched inside final 1f, stayed on to lead last ½f, driven out.”
David (looking more like a NH jockey with muddy silks!) said in his Racing TV interview: "We were right behind the speed and he's appreciated the extra furlong, getting the nice split late on."
See the official photo gallery here: https://www.hannahaliphotography.co.uk/r3-200623
Syndicate manager Tom says: "Well that all went to plan, although the conditions were a little more testing than anticipated. He hit the line very well and so it's onwards and upwards with him. He is moving up into 0-85 and 0-90 company now, so that includes races like the Ayr Bronze Cup or Stewards Cup consolation. He continues to thrive and be in great form, so well done to his owners."