Margie McLoone

LOCAL hero Jamie Codd looked set to increase his tally of winners at Lingstown by three last Sunday but had to settle for a single success at this Killinick Harriers’ meeting.

A photograph of the reigning champion receiving his trophy from Leo Powell, managing editor of The Irish Field, graced the cover of Sunday’s card and more photographs were taken of Codd in the parade-ring after the second race, the Wright Group Brokers five-year-old mares’ maiden.

Here, he teamed up with trainer brother William to score with Bothermenot (1/1) who had finished second at Loughanmore in early April on her sole previous start.

The favourite was always close up as Classic Palace and Escapefromthedark disputed most of the running. While the latter was beaten three out, Classic Palace only gave way to Bothermenot after the second last but from there she was fighting a losing battle as the market-leader went away in the long home straight to score impressively by eight lengths.

“This mare is leased by her breeder William Devereux to the Heads Or Harps Syndicate and this was the plan, to win at this meeting,” said William Codd. “Most of the syndicate are from Dublin and have been owners with me for years.

“She went to Noel Meade after her run last season but was too big and green and Noel advised the lads to go back pointing with her. She’ll go for a bumper at Limerick over Christmas but may run in a winners’ race before then,” added the well-satisfied trainer.

In the following Kilkenny River Court Hotel Maiden for five-year-old geldings, where the debutant Harry O’Tully made the running to three out, Jamie Codd gave Loughaderra Prince (6/4) a similar ride.

Having jumped to the front past Roadie Joe (6/1-4/1) at the second last fence, the Denis Murphy-trained newcomer looked set to score as he stretched clear down the hill. However, Loughaderra Prince met the last on a long stride and pitched over on landing.

This left the race at the mercy of the Benny Walsh-partnered Roadie Joe who kept on to beat Hitman Hearns by three-parts of a length.

“You need a bit of luck in this game and the fences are there to be jumped,” said Brian Jordan who trains Roadie Joe for local Kilmore Quay owner John Bates. “The plan would be to sell the horse and he’ll come on a lot for the run.”

Codd’s luck was definitely out in the Keating Horse Transport open over the banks’ course where again he appeared on his way to victory on the Murphy-trained Theroadtocroker.

The 5/4 shot made all the running and with his main market-rival, Current Exchange, losing ground with a mistake four out, favourite backers were counting their winnings as the leader turned downhill with a good advantage.

However, after a slight mistake at the upbank second last, Codd went out the side door to leave the always-prominent Cork Citizen in front of Current Exchange.

Ridden by Maxine O’Sullivan for her father Eugene, Cork Citizen jumped the final fence over two lengths up on his rival but, at the end of three miles and having tackled a variety of obstacles, the Duhallow-qualified Cork Citizen was a just neck up at the line as Current Exchange closed with every stride.

“He’s only a six-year-old but is progressing well,” said Eugene O’Sullivan of the winning Overbury gelding. “He’ll go for the hunters’ chase at Limerick over Christmas while the Foxhunters at Cheltenham would be a target. He is for sale.”

Philip Fenton was in the news for the right reason here when saddling Highway Storm (4/1-9/2-3/1) to land the opening Brightwells Cheltenham Breeze Up Sale four-year-old maiden in his own colours.

Ridden by Richie Kiely, the Stowaway gelding made all the running and, from the last, battled on well to see off fellow newcomers Cahirconree and Raise A Toast by three lengths and one length. The well-touted favourite A Bold Move (2/1-1/1) was a never-threatening fifth.

“Great stuff,” said a relieved Fenton. “He’s a nice horse with a bright future. We better get a photograph taken as it might be the last one for a while!”

In the six-runner Kilmore Potatoes winners of two, Paddy The Deejay (1/1-4/5) tried to repeat the forcing tactics which proved successful at Maralin earlier in the month. However, the favourite was headed halfway up the run-in by the very patiently-ridden Ash Rowe, who, under Mark Slevin, was adjudged to be eight lengths clear at the line.

“Mark said he never stirred on the horse but that’s the way he has to be ridden,” said trainer Shay Slevin of Michelle Ryan’s winning Milan seven-year-old. “He jumped better than in the North the last day (third behind Paddy The Deejay) and is learning slowly. He could go back over hurdles.”

The runner-up’s rider Harley Dunne also tried to make all in the concluding Jordan’s Bar and Lounge older horses’ maiden on Becca’s Girl. However, she was beaten four out and so too were all others once Mighty Vic (8/1) went on at the next, the Gary Murphy-ridden Old Vic gelding going away to beat the perpetual bridesman Flysnsini by a dozen lengths.

The winner is trained by Ashleigh Murphy for her husband Michael who surprisingly commented: “I think we’ll keep this fellow and have another day’s fun with him! He galloped all the way to the line and should pick up a winners’ race.”