KODI TO BE FASTEST OF A SLOW BUNCH

THE times remained on the slow side at Newbury yesterday and conditions could well play to the strengths of KODI BEAR (Newbury, 3.55) in an intriguing renewal of the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes. The son of Kodiac enjoyed a good three-year-old campaign, winning at Windsor, Salisbury and Goodwood and, although he didn’t fire in the QEII behind the mighty Solow in the autumn, he was only beaten four lengths — hardly a disgrace. He is a horse that goes well fresh and Gerald Mosse (below), who rode him to two of his victories last term, is in the saddle this afternoon. Belardo will also love the ground and looks a huge danger given he was set an awful lot to do at Sandown in the bet365 mile while the main beneficiary that day, Toormore, hails from an operation who have won four of the last six runnings. However, Clive Cox has his string in excellent form and Kodi Bear has always looked capable of winning at the top table so hopefully he can vindicate that view today. The Al Zubarah London Gold Cup boasts an impressive collection of winners with Time Test, Cannock Chase and Al Kazeem among those successful in recent seasons and VIVRE POUR VIVRE (Newbury, nb, 4.30) can add his name to the list today. Trainer Ed Dunlop has made a sparkling start to the campaign and his son of Pour Moi has certainly contributed, winning a Wolverhampton maiden prior to beating a small field at Leicester on his handicap debut. His trainer has entered his charge in the Group Two King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, which suggests he is held in high esteem. His Leicester win was given a massive boost yesterday when the runner-up Ulysses hacked up by a wide margin at Newbury and he looks a huge danger. Having introduced both Time Test and Al Kazeem to land this prize in recent seasons, handler Roger Charlton’s decision to run Imperial Aviator will not escape notice.