Jamie Codd made a successful return from injury in the Steel Lintels Ireland Ltd. five-year-old geldings’ maiden aboard Whatsupwithyou, who provided the Wexford rider with the first leg of a double on the day.
The Denis Murphy-owned and trained son of Shantou, was getting off the mark at just the third time of asking, having finished a fine second at Tinahely earlier this month.
Ridden in mid-division, the bay made good progress to pick up the advantage in the turning in. Left clear by the departure of Going Sold at the last, the gelding kept on gamely to come home a distance clear of September Venture.
“He has just taken a bit of time, but is a horse that is going to improve. I would say he will be sold now,” said the Wexford rider.
Kruzhlinin provided Jamie Codd with the concluding leg of his double in the JP Corry open, thus maintaining his unbeaten record between-the-flags this season.
Sent off an odd-on favourite, the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding never gave his supporters any cause for worry, as he made much of the running before easing clear in the closing stages to record a 12-length success over Art Of Logistics.
Owned by Camilla Sharples who was present to witness the success, the 12-year-old now joins Longhouse Music at the top of the Champion horse leader-board as both now have five wins to their names this season.
Gordon Elliott enjoyed a double on the day when saddling the first two home in the concluding Millar McCall Wylie older geldings’ maiden.
Three Kings provided Georgie Benson with her first success in the saddle when coming from a fair way back to collar stable companion Smoking Dixie on the run to the line, with only a length separated the pair passing the post.
The winning seven-year-old was returning from a spell under rules having finished second twice over hurdles.
Tipperary owner Michael Browne had the thrill of owning the first two home and was on hand to say: “It’s brilliant – it’s like we’ve won the Grand National. I used to have them myself, but I had to go for an operation and Gordon took them. He thinks they are both good enough to go back to the track so it’s up to him.”
Handler Shane Byrne has been doing well with a small team of horses this season and Achy Breaky Heart followed up on a promising debut to take the Albert Bartlett five-year-old mares’ maiden.
Harley Dunne was content to stalk the leaders throughout, before producing the daughter of Milan with a challenge at the penultimate obstacle.
The eventual winner held the advantage at the final fence when left clear by the departure of long-time leader Frank and Honest, leaving Alice O’Byrne to come home 15 lengths behind in second. “She was sharp there, she really travelled and jumped today. Hopefully we will go to the sales now as she has a nice pedigree,” said Byrne who saw the mare carry his own colours to victory.
Harley Dunne also enjoyed a double in the saddle when making the most of a spare ride in the Anonymous Generous Supporter winner of two aboard Lisnagreggan.
The Wexford rider was deputising for regular rider Neil Gault, who was unable to take the mount following a fall the previous day.
The odds-on favourite sat second for much of the contest, heading long-time leader and runner-up Nevada Rose three-out, before picking up well in the home straight to record a three-length success. “That is the ground he needs, we might look at the maiden hunter chase at Downpatrick now,” said winning handler William Gault who owns the gelding in partnership with Paul Martin.
Former rider Andrew Kinirons enjoyed his first winner as a handler when Maggie Margaret recorded a two and a half-length success in the CBRE six-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden.
The Raymond Craine-owned mare received plenty of market support beforehand and Mark O’Hare kept things simple aboard the daughter of Beneficial, making every post a winning one.
On what her fourth start the six-year-old stuck to her task well in the home straight, having being left clear by the departure of Lady Maureen at the last, thus leaving Miss Scotty to fill the runner-up spot.
“She has been working very well and is a great filly to jump. I was delighted that she was able to show what we have been seeing at home. It’s great for the owners too,” said the winning handlers partner, Madeline Tylicki.
