Alan Mahon

JAMIE Codd reduced the deficit behind Barry O’Neill to one in the race to be crowned The Irish Field Champion rider as the Co Wexford-based rider recorded a treble at the North Kilkenny point-to-point at Ballyragget on Sunday.

Having finished runner-up in two of the first three races, the former champion jockey was seen to good effect when getting the best out of Coolnagorna Giggs (5/4 - 1/1 favourite) in the Connolly’s Red Mills open race.

Drawn N Drank under Turlough O’Connor led from the start and only had one serious challenger rounding the home turn as Codd and Coolnagorna Giggs challenged.

The pair jumped the last in unison and battled up the run in with the latter getting the verdict by the judge by a neck. An elated Rory O’Meara, who has only two horses in training at his base outside Nenagh commented: “he’s a pet and gives his best every day. He really battled well and got his head in front. I’m delighted. My brother’s wife had a baby girl today as well so there is plenty to celebrate.”

Codd followed up again half an hour later with Financial Outcome (4/6 - 4/5 favourite) for John Paul Brennan in the John Dalton & Sons, Chancellors Mills winners of one in the colours of the handler’s father Thomas, supplementing his maiden victory at Tinahely last month. The winning handler remarked: “I’m thrilled for dad, who bought the horse off breeder Donal Goland.”

Tracking the leaders down the back straight the final time, travelling noticeably well, the son of Financial Reward led under Codd turning for home and was clear before the last fence, and although untidy recorded an impressive 10-length success from Cada Club.

Financial Outcome’s maiden success at Tinahely last month was his sire’s first point-to-point winner. Standing at Ballinglen Stud in Co Wexford, the stallion is more renowned for his progeny within the show jumping and eventing sphere.

“I think on nicer ground he could be an even better horse. Barry O’Neill done plenty of schooling with him as a four-year-old and thought he was a nice horse. He could now head to the sales,” indicated winning handler Brennan.

Grand National-winning trainer Martin Brassil provided Codd with the final leg of his treble in the concluding John Phelan & Co and John Holland six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden as Take Revenge (4/6 - 4/5 favourite) justified his short price.

Pulling up on his debut at Mainstown, the son of Gold Well caught the eye in the paddock and made all to score impressively by six-lengths from Dubai Dandy.

Racing in the colours of Jane Dwyer, Take Revenge was purchased by Bloodstock Agent Aiden Murphy for €58,000 at the 2015 Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale.

“He’s a nice horse and just needed some time. I was disappointed he didn’t finish on his debut before Christmas but he learned from that experience and he was impressive today. He has really blossomed since his first run and he could head to the Doncaster sales or to a bumper or maiden hurdle,” remarked the winning trainer.

Richie Deegan had two rides at the Kilkenny venue and both were winning ones, initiated on the Liam Kenny-trained Redzor (5/2 - 4/1) in the opening Tallis & Co and Aidan Brophy five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

The Patrick Redmond-owned Redzor is a graduate of the 2016 edition of the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale where he realised €55,000.

The Shantou gelding was given the office in the home straight, challenged the Denis Murphy-trained Crio Cuervos and led at the last to win going away by three-lengths.

The winning handler stated: “He improved from his run the last day and we rode him differently today. He paid the penalty for going off too quick at Ballinaboola the last day but he done it well today looks a nice sort. I will speak to Patrick (Redmond) to see where we will go now.”

Redzor is the first produce out of a half-sister to Cheltenham’s RSA Chase star One Knight, who won nine times. A chasing type in the making, Liam Kenny’s charge is also from the same family as Foxrock, Death Duty, Shannon Spray and Direct Access.

The second-leg of Deegan’s double came in the Dick’s Supervalu, Ballyragget five-year-old and upwards adjacent maiden on the Avril Barry-owned Simply Gooch (7/4 - 11/4).

Currently on 11 winners for the season following a successful weekend, the Carlow native gave the son of Desert King a confident ride from the front and sent his mount on at the second last.

The 10-year-old was chased in the home straight by the Jamie Codd-partnered Well Afford but the Aidan Fitzgerald-trained Simply Gooch had enough in the tank to score by two and a half lengths.

One of the most impressive winners of the day was the Donnchadh Doyle-trained Executive Capilano (7/4 - 5/2) in the Gain Horse Feeds five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden.

Improving from her fourth-placed debut effort at Punchestown, the daughter of Milan progressed to lead before the penultimate fence and quickened clear under James Walsh to record an easy 10-length victory from Cloudy Music.

Enjoying his best season with eight winners so far, Tinahely native Walsh currently has a 28% strike-rate.

Purchased for €17,000 at the 2016 Derby Sale, Executive Capilano is out of a half-sister to graded winner Watson Lake.

“She had a nice run the first day on ground that was too soft. She’s a fine big mare with a nice pedigree and she will go on to better things. She will head to the sales now,” remarked the winning handler.

Gooch goal

AVRIL and Ewing Barry enjoyed success at the North Kilkenny point-to-point fixture on Sunday as their colours were carried to victory on the Aidan Fitzgerald-trained Simply Gooch.

The Desert King gelding was placed in a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle almost two years ago and following some disappointing results last year the 10-year-old was retired.

Fitzgerald, who trains in Borris, Co Carlow, remarked: “I was over with my neighbours Avril and Ewing Barry a few months ago and begged them to let me bring the horse back in to run in a point. Thankfully they agreed and we got a win to his name.

“He’s a lovely horse but I don’t know what we will do now as we focused on getting him ready for today; he could probably go for a winner of one. We have him out of retirement now so we should keep him going,” added the delighted trainer.