THE extended Cody family enjoyed a memorable second day of the August Festival, with both Ray and his nephew Paddy on the scoresheet.

Partnering 150/1 outsider Mountain Port, Paddy guided this five-year-old to a shock six-and-a-half-length success in the Michael Griffin Auctioneers Maiden Hurdle.

Getting in as first reserve, the Kieran Purcell-trained bay went a few lengths clear on the approach to the fourth, but surrendered ground when running off the bend with just under a circuit to go.

Appearing vulnerable when joined by market principals I Am Mimi and Mount Anglesby (5/4 favourite) before two out, the John Lonergan-owned victor regained an outright advantage before the last and stretched clear on the run-in.

“That’s my first winner over flights but I won a bumper before and two point-to-points,” Cody explained.

Purcell added: “I thought he’d run well, the ground and the distance suited him today and the first time cheekpieces helped him concentrate.”

Lucky Lad

Training just a few kilometres away from Purcell in Dunnamaggin, Ray Cody struck with Tullyveery Lad (7/1) in the Comeragh Veterinary Kilmacthomas Handicap Hurdle.

Successful over fences in June, the Donagh Meyler-ridden eight-year-old took closer order from four out and was ridden in pursuit of the leader Scottish Dancer on the approach to the penultimate obstacle.

Owned by Cody’s son and namesake, along with Pat Tennyson and Noel Morrissey, the 8/1 chance soon made progress on the inner and improved to lead before the last, keeping on well from there to score by three and a quarter lengths.

“He got an injury running around here and when he came back he wasn’t right for a long time, but he is in a good vein of form now and that’s his third win,” Cody remarked.

A WELL-established name in the amateur ranks, Tiernan Power Roche registered his first win as a conditional when guiding Miss Lia to a convincing success in the Majestic Hotel Mares Maiden Hurdle.

With some solid efforts to her name, the Philip Rothwell-trained four-year-old was sent off a 9/2 chance and after racing in mid-division, took closer order from three out.

Getting to the front before the next, the David L’Estrange-owned bay was soon ridden clear and while the staying on Mazza’s Mahler attempted to chase her down, there was four lengths between them at the line.

“I asked Tiernan to come work for me a couple of months ago. He is a very nice guy and has so much experience over hurdles and fences,” Rothwell commented. “This is David’s first horse with me and it’s great to have a winner in his colours.”

Storming home

The Assembly Tech Handicap Hurdle was also restricted to mares and while Straight Home was a warm order 5/6 favourite (9/4 early), she had to settle for minor honours behind the Ken Budds-trained Stormalong.

Without a win since her debut success at Cork in May 2022, the September Storm six-year-old was sent off an easy-to-back 11/1 chance (from 13/2).

Owned by Barbara Kirby Coleman and her husband Ed, the 102-rated bay lost her place from four out but worked her way back into contention on the approach to the penultimate obstacle.

Soon brought to the outer to challenge, she led narrowly over the last and kept on strongly from there, coming home four and a quarter lengths to the good under John Shinnick.

“She was very unlucky the last day, she just got shuffled back at the wrong time and was way overpriced today,” Budds disclosed.

Paul Townend was later adjudged to have ridden dangerously on the market leader and picked up a four-day ban.

Machine

Four and a quarter lengths was also the winning distance in the I.P.R.S. Handicap Chase, with Inchidaly Copper leading home admirable veteran Greenway Machine. Trained by Alex Ott and ridden by his son Andy Burke-Ott, the eight-year-old didn’t go unsupported and was returned at 9/1 from 20s early.

Always close to the pace and jumping well throughout, Owen O’Flynn’s chestnut jumped to the front at the second last and kept on well when ridden in the closing stages.

“We ran him a couple of times lately and the last day in Roscommon he started to show a bit of form again. We thought he might have a chance today,” the successful handler stated.

SAYLAVEE was the highlight of a first and last race double for Willie Mullins, as she overturned recent Galway Plate third Zanahiyr (8/15 favourite) in the feature Clem Jacob Hire Chase.

Beaten a length into second when last seen in a Grade 3 at Ballybrit, the Lynne Maclennan-owned bay was sent off a 15/8 chance.

Getting a dream run through on the inner approaching the second last, the Paul Townend-ridden victor soon shot to the front and was kept up to her work in the closing stages.

Finishing a length and a quarter away in the runner-up spot, the market leader blundered at the penultimate obstacle and soon found himself in second, ultimately failing to make up the lost ground.

“She’s a dinger around these little tight tracks. I banked on a good jump at the second last and it got me through and away,” Townend reflected.

More for Mullins

Saddling beaten favourites in the second and fourth, Mullins completed his brace with More Coko in the concluding Curragh To Curragh Charity Cycle August 31st INH Flat Race.

Owned and bred by his wife Jackie and ridden by their son Patrick, the Cokoriko four-year-old was sent off the clear market leader at 4/11, from initial shows of 1/2.

Racing keenly in mid-division on the outer, the bay debutant cruised to the front with two furlongs to race and while briefly pushed along in the closing stages, he ultimately eased to a five-and-a-half-length success.

“He is for sale and did what we thought he would. He was doing nice work at home and I think we might try him in a winners’ bumper now,” the successful rider divulged.