A hat-trick on the final day of point-to-point action within the northern region at Loughanmore has sealed a fourth northern title for Jamie Codd.
The Wexford native had entered the rescheduled East Antrim hunt fixture tied with the reigning champion Barry O’Neill, and ahead of the day’s action, the title could have gone to any one of four riders, with Noel McParlan and Rob James also holding live claimed of sealing the title.
Whilst James did manage to get on the Loughanmore scoreboard, winning a division of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden aboard Kakamora, continuing Donnchadh Doyle’s domination of the region’s four-year-old maidens, that was the only success for Codd’s title rivals, ensuring his personal treble was more than enough to claim the title.
The day had begun well for Codd, when Denis Murphy’s Milan newcomer Movin’on Up ran out a three-length winner of the Tattersalls Ireland four-year-old mares’ maiden. Murphy’s Ballyboy Stables would also provide him with the second leg of his double when Jeremy Sunshine won the Connollys RedMills five-year-old geldings’ maiden by five lengths.
The Codd hat-trick was completed by Kruzhlinin, who kept his own title hopes alive when winning the Houston Coachworks open lightweight by four lengths. Connections of Gordon Elliott’s 12-year-old had indicated last week that he would be let off for the season following his defeat by Sound Money at Necarne, however he returned to winning ways, joining Longhouse Music at the top of the leading point-to-point horse table with this tenth victory of the season.
For Codd this latest title is his 15th regional title honour and comes five years after he last sealed the northern title in 2014.
With 18 winners in the region this season, he ends the campaign three clear of last year’s champion Barry O’Neill, who shared the second with fellow Wexford man Rob James, with another former northern champion Noel McParlan a further winner adrift in fourth.
Northern Region Standings 2018/19
Jamie CODD 18 wins
Barry O’NEILL 15 wins
Rob JAMES 15 wins
Noel MCPARLAN 14 wins
Ben CRAWFORD 7 wins
Derek O’CONNOR 6 wins
