3 minute read

Richard Fahey’s Monsieur Kodi got favourite backers off to a winning start when the 9/2 chance claimed success in the Coral Stewards' Sprint Handicap, the consolation race for the Stewards' Cup.

Leading fancy Zaman Jemil was withdrawn after getting loose leaving Ryan Moore stranded down at the start.

All bar two of the runners opted to race on the far side and it soon became clear they were in front.

Monsieur Kodi battled his way through the testing conditions to take it up a furlong from home and although Capote's Dream got within half a length at the line, the result never really looked in doubt.

Many A Star finished back in third while Live In The Moment, who was one of two to race on the stands' side, filled the fourth spot.

The going was changed after the race to heavy, soft in places (from soft, good to soft in places). On the ground, winning rider Oisin Orr said: "It's hard work, and I think it's not far off heavy ground, but this lad has shown he can handle it before so it was probably a bonus to us.

"It [the far rail] is the freshest ground and if you can get an advantage anywhere it's on fresher ground, so we were aiming to get over there and it's worked out."

Of his decision to move from Ireland to take a job with Richard Fahey, Orr added: "It wasn't a very difficult decision. I had done well in Ireland, but at the time I needed a change and it's been great ever since I came over."