The pair were very much the main players at last Saturday’s North Kerry Harriers’ meeting at Ballybunion.

Reigning champion O’Connor, who trailed Codd by five heading into this fixture, bagged three winners and the 30-year-old opened his account for the afternoon when guiding newcomer April Dusk (7/2) to victory in the Berkie Browne Bookmakers five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Trained in Rathcormac, Co Cork by Jonathan Sweeney for his neighbour Patrick O’Leary, this son of Turtle Island had to really dig deep on the run-in to hold the persistent challenge of Jim Dreaper’s Kayf Supreme by a short-head.

“Everything was right for this fellow today and I told Derek (O’Connor) he’d win,” said the winning trainer. “He dug it out when he had to and is a nice horse. I’ve had just three runners this season and two of them have won. He’ll probably go to the sales now.”

O’Connor’s next two winners were for one of his main providers, Kinsale handler Robert Tyner, with the pair joining forces to land the Purcell’s Bar, Ballyduff five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden with 6/4 favourite Simple Milan.

This mare by Milan, who races in the silks of Cork owner Timothy Hurley, went to the front before the home turn and stayed on best in the closing stages to beat Lol JK by a length and a half.

Tyner commented: “We bought this lady at Doncaster to replace another mare by Milan that the owner hadn’t much luck with. She was unfortunate not to win at Dromahane two runs back when she fell and is a nice sort. She’ll go hurdling on the track in the autumn.”

O’Connor’s hat-trick and Tyner’s training double was completed in the concluding Griffin Mobile Homes & Courtney’s Bar & Guesthouse, Ballybunion mares’ winners of three contest where Strange Talk (9/4) impressed.

Sent past long-time leader Theatre Princess after two out, this daughter of Talkin Man quickly sealed the issue when forging ahead to beat that rival by five lengths.

Tyner, who trains the winner for Ballincollig, Co Cork owner Joe Fallon, disclosed: “That was a brilliant ride from Derek as he just put her to sleep out the back and she settled really well. She’s a smart mare and I’m delighted for her owner who is a great supporter of mine. She might go for a mares’ race at Ballingarry next weekend.”

Jamie Codd has been in terrific form this year and the Wexford amateur got his day off to the perfect start when landing the opening Feales Bridge Co-Op four-year-old maiden aboard 5/2 shot Masterplan.

This Spadoun-sired debutant, who is trained near Gorey in Co Wexford by Liam Kenny for his neighbour Gavan Kinch, is a gutsy sort who showed real resolve when staying on doggedly on the run-in to beat runner-up Mr Mathers by a neck.

Kenny stated: “We bought this fellow at last year’s Land Rover Sale and expected him to win as he was working well at home. I was slightly worried about the soft ground as he’d prefer it nicer, but he handled it well. He’ll go to the Brightwells sale at Cheltenham next Thursday now.”

Codd, who maintained a three-winner lead (89-86) over O’Connor after a hectic day’s action, completed his double aboard Diamond Shadow (5/2) in the Beale Hill Windfarm & Railway Bar, Ballybunion six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden.

Trained in Templemore, Co Tipperary by Leslie Young for the Erin’s Hope Syndicate, Diamond Show answered every call from Codd when forging clear on the run-in to deny runner-up Castleowen by three lengths.

“This horse has been unlucky on a few occasions and it’s nice to see him put his head in front,” said the winning trainer. “I was worried about the ground for him, but he jumped really well. He’ll go hunter chasing in the autumn.”

Maxine O’Sullivan has this season’s leading Lady Rider award wrapped up and the Cork lass was seen at her best when giving 7/2 shot Cork Citizen a power-packed ride to land the Kerry Group open lightweight.

Trained by her father Eugene at his Lombardstown, Mallow yard for his unrelated UK-based namesake Mrs Alurie O’Sullivan, Cork Citizen jumped to the front at the final obstacle and ran on powerfully to beat runner-up Wayupinthesky by two lengths.

“This horse is improving all the time and is a brilliant jumper,” reported O’Sullivan senior. “He needs that testing ground to be seen at his best and I think he’ll develop into a smashing staying chaser in time. He’ll be entered in a hunter’s chase at Listowel next weekend and will go there if he gets a run. If not, he’ll go to Kinsale for another open race.”

HORSES TO FOLLOW

MR MATHERS (N.Stokes): Lost little in defeat when just touched off by Masterplan in the opening four-year-old maiden. This well-bred son of Westerner did all he could to make a winning debut and, with this effort under his belt, he’ll be hard to contain next time round.