THE Bray Harriers held their annual meeting in Tinahely on Sunday last. The day belonged to the two-time former champion rider Jamie Codd as the Co. Wexford native reached yet another milestone in his illustrious career when recording his 950th success between the flags and a 75th success at Tinahely.

Codd started the day on a winning note steering the Denis Murphy-owned and trained Bring The Action (2/1 – 7/4) to success in the opening four-year-old maiden.

This big, imposing son of Jet Away continued his sire’s excellent start by providing him with a third winner from his first crop of four-year-olds. Codd was never too far off the pace aboard the gelding and produced him to lead before the penultimate obstacle, to record a two-length success over Simple Rules.

Winning handler Murphy reported that he had some concerns before the race, saying: “I got a bit nervous looking at him in the parade ring, I thought I had him looking too well. His work at home was good. Obviously, his work came through today, there’s miles of improvement in him.” Murphy then stated that his charge was now sales bound.

Codd and Murphy were quick to double up in the following five-year-old geldings’ maiden. The formidable duo combined with Tucson Train (2/1-4/1), who got the better of Sunset West by a length and a half. This son of Scorpion is owned by Carlow natives Joe Walsh and Shay Byrne, who also own Murphy’s Ballycrystal winner Breakeven, and he showed a fine turn of foot here to go from last to first with purpose in the final half mile.

The five-year-old gelding had been impressing Murphy at home, who stated:“His work has been unbelievable. He’s a nice horse. He could be alright. I presume he’ll go to the sales now.”

Codd was not the only rider to record a double on the day, as Barry O’Neill was successful in the final two contests of the afternoon, to take his tally of winners for the weekend to six.

The first of O’Neill’s two victories came in the winner-of-two contest courtesy of the rider’s boss Colin Bowe. Bowe saddled Ballymorris Rose (7/4) to come home three and a half lengths in front of Beatthebullet, with the pair reversing the placings of their Ballycrystal form.

O’Neill stole a march on his rivals before the fourth last obstacle and was some 15 lengths clear entering the straight, where the Getaway mare’s rivals could not reel her back in, as she recorded her second career success.

John Asple’s homebred mare is out of his Old Vic mare Askanna, who won two graded races and recorded nine victories in total. Winning connections were delighted with the victory with handler Bowe stating that she would now be aimed at a summer campaign on the track.

The closing leg of O’Neill’s double was no less impressive, as the champion rider teamed up with Bree-based handler Shay Slevin to take the older geldings’ maiden with Locallink (3/1 – 4/1), who provided Slevin with his second winner from his last three runners. The son of Sandmason was patiently ridden by O’Neill and was 20 lengths off the pace after jumping the third last obstacle, however, Slevin’s charge stayed on strongly to get the better of General Ryan by a length and a half.

Slevin was thrilled by the performance, saying: “He’s very well-bred, he’s a full brother to Summerville Boy. He’s a fair horse, we think the world of him. We’ll sell him now or go back for a winners’ race now.” The full brother to Summerville Boy was hombred by owner Paul Rothwell of Lacken Stud, where Sandmason also stands.

THE feature race on the card was the open lightweight for novice riders. The competitive contest went the way of the David Christie-trained Eddies Miracle (1/2 - 4/6F), under 19-year-old Ben Harvey from North Dublin. The Ray Nicholas-owned son of Beat Of Drums was never too far off the pace and had a cosy four lengths to spare over Better B Quick.

Connections were delighted with the victory as the 12-year-old gelding, who is an 11-time points winner and was recording his fourth success on the bounce this season, however, Christie stated following the victory that it is hard to watch his charge run, saying: “It’s got to the stage where I don’t think any of us enjoy watching him anymore, he takes over, I get so nervous about him.” The winning handler reported that his charge may contest a hunter chase later in the spring when ground conditions improve.

There were jubilant scenes in the winners’ enclosure, following the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden which was won by the consistent Lawlor’s Choice (4/1 - 5/1), who is trained next door to the Tinahely track by Philip Rothwell.

The daughter of Black Sam Bellamy was always handy and survived a final fence mistake to beat Honest Opinion by half a length. The success provided 18-year-old Gowran native Dan Nevin, who is based in Ballydarragh in Harley Dunne’s yard, with his initial career success.

The winner is jointly owned by Tom Power, Rothwell’s farrier, and Annette Lawlor, who rides out for the winning handler. Power was full of praise for all involved, saying: “She’s a good tough mare, I owe everything to Phillip (Rothwell) and Annette (Lawlor), who do most of the work, this is sort of a hobby. Tony Lawlor bought her and that’s how she got the name Lawlor’s Choice. It’s also Dan Nevin’s first winner, he does a lot of work for me so, I’m delighted for him.” Power stated Lawlor’s Choice would now be aimed at a mares’ winners’ contest.

Horse to follow

Simply Supreme (S. Doyle): This debutante daughter of Robin Des Champs essentially came to a standstill after a bad mistake at the third last, when right in contention in the five-year-old and upwards mares’ contest.

The five-year-old will be an interesting prospect on her next start.

Codd’s exceptional record

JAMIE Codd records his 75th success around Tinahely when completing the closing leg of his double for Denis Murphy. Murphy was quick to recognise the magnitude of Codd’s successes at the track, saying: “Imagine, it’s a savage number of wins, isn’t it?”