Michael Dods’ veteran handicapper Orthopaedic Remedy will bid for a third victory in the £30,000 totepool Thirsk Summer Cup at the North Yorkshire track on Saturday.

Now 11 years old, Orthopaedic Remedy won the Summer Cup for the first time in 2011 and then came back to win again 12 months ago and Dods is hopeful of another big run if all goes well.
“He is in great form and I am really keen for him to run again. Hopefully he will get into the race – he needs just three to come out!” said the Darlington trainer.
In his long career, Orthopaedic Remedy has run 21 races at Thirsk and has finished in the frame 13 times, including four wins which have among them his two victories in the totepool Summer Cup, plus a success in the totepool Thirsk Hunt Cup back in 2010.
“He certainly loves it at Thirsk and I won’t be too disappointed if the ground is soft as those are his favourite conditions. The biggest task is finding a jockey as Connor Beasley would usually ride, but unfortunately he’s out for the season” said Dods.
As well as Orthopaedic Remedy, Dods is also sweating on Kiwi Bay getting into the race, but he needs only one of those above him to drop out and it will be amazing if either of them misses out.
So it is likely the Darlington trainer will be three-handed as he also saddles Finn Class, who is guaranteed to run. Finn Class is the mount of Paul Mulrennan, who was top jockey at Thirsk last season and with four winners at the track this year is leading the way again alongside David Allan and Philip Makin.
“They are both there on merit and should go well” said Dods, “Finn Class has won his last two and shows his best form on decent ground, while Kiwi Bay has been running well without getting his head in front and will not mind it soft”.
The totepool Thirsk Summer Cup is one of the features of a seven race card on Saturday, the second stage of a two-day meeting which starts on Friday. Racing gets underway at 1.50pm on both days.