Kodi impresses in Nottingham 480m heats
Open racing on Monday night came from Nottingham where Barry Denby's The Other Kodi was the most impressive winner of the evening.
Kodi with fourth quickest 480m of the year at Nottingham
On a relatively quiet Monday night at Nottingham, the track was brought alive by The Other Kodi's win in the 480m heats for Barry Denby. He has an enviable record at his home track, adding another win in impressive fashion, and clocking the fourth quickest 480m time of the year in the process. He is now 11/15 in action at this venue, and will start the final next Monday as a warm order.
The other 480m heat went to Esther Driver's Frederico, some 66 spots slower on the finish times. He showed off his battling qualities, first to see off his own kennelmate Skyfall Khan from halfway and then Westfield Forno who had challenged him for the lead from the third bend until the run-in. He's won three straight races at Nottingham now, though a fourth against The Other Kodi next week will be more difficult.
There was a final last night over 500m which saw a bit of a surprise as Robert Hall's Basaljett ran his rivals into the ground from the front. He was a 9/1 chance but a very slick break saw him well in control at the opening bend and when the two at the head of the market clashed at the second turn, there was no way back for any of his rivals.
Two sprints rounded out the open races with the quicker of the pair by a long way being Nunos Nugget for Lynn Cook. He has some smart form at his home track and in a race where his main market rival was a non runner, he has things won within a few strides following a quick break.
The other went to Viva Elvette for Paula Timmins. She was another all the way winner on the evening, able to get first run on the hot favourite Sunnyside Jayden, with no way back for the smart sprinter who was a 4/6 chance. The time was nothing special but it was a third straight success for the winner who is clearly in great heart at present.
