KODI BRINGS UP MARTIN’S TON
Ian Fortune
There were two finals up for decision at Shelbourne Park on Friday night with Unanimous Kodi and Lion Dancer emerging at good prices.
The display of Unanimous Kodi was particularly significant for Martin Lanney as he provided the grey fox with an incredible 100th sweepstake success.
KODI FINISHES LIKE CITEH
For Lanney, who is a big Liverpool supporter, it will come as a real shot in the arm after his beloved Jurgen Klopp decider to call it quits at the end of the season.
Indeed, Unanimous Kodi resembled Manchester City, coming from off the pace to prove too strong for his opposition to land the €1,750 prize at the expense of Rebel Autumn.
The pace-setting duties went to Lord Bullet from an inside draw but he was under real pressure when Rebel Autumn and Unanimous Kodi slipped around behind him. The pair flanked the early leader at the third turn with Unanimous Kodi slipping up the inner while Rebel Autumn chose the wide path.
It was now a case of which would prove the stronger. Rebel Autumn took up the running briefly between the last two bends but Caran O’Sullivan’s Unanimous Kodi is clearly blessed with plenty of stamina and the son of Pat C Sabbath and Alls Well joined Rebel Autumn on the final turn before powering home for a tremendous two and a half length success in 31.87. Rebel Autumn took second. In all seriousness, it is a wonderful achievement for Martin Lanney. It always great to win a sweepstake but to reach one hundred is remarkable.
LION SHOWS BRAVERY
There was a desperate finish to the final of the Shelbourne Regulars A4 525 with Lion Dancer clinging on from a very unlucky Kilcolgan Belle.
Representing Beatrice Steiner and the Golden Hare Syndicate, Lion Dancer made every inch of the running but that doesn’t tell the full story.
In fact, Kilcolgan Belle was a bad last in the early yards before coming home at speed to fail by just a head. Lion Dancer had enough in hand, however, and the early paced son of Victorinox and Jerusalem stopped the clock in 29.24 to land the €1,750 prize.