REIGNING The Irish Field champion-rider Jamie Codd took the riding honours when partnering a double as the County Roscommon Hunt held their annual fixture at Rockfield last Sunday.
Codd got his afternoon off to the best possible start as he guided the highly-regarded debutant Poli Roi (6/4-5/4F) to a striking success in the opening Kepak four-year-old maiden. Travelling smoothly throughout, the Poliglote-gelding owned by Alan Harte, struck the front after the penultimate obstacle before displaying a withering turn of foot to impressively outpoint fellow newcomer Super Sid by 10 lengths.
A £46,000 graduate of the 2015 Goffs UK Spring Store Sale, the bay is trained in Co Wexford, by Codd’s long-standing patron Denis Murphy, who disclosed of the half-brother to Le Rocher: “This is a very well-bred horse. His work at home has always been very good and what can you say, he showed that there. He’ll most likely go to the sales now.”
Wexford-man Codd moved onto the eight winner mark for the current campaign and concluded his brace aboard Sizingdowntherhine (1/2-4/7 favourite) in the Dermot Hughes Cars Ltd & Sean Doyle & Sons winners-of-one. Sporting the familiar silks of Alan Potts, the striking-chestnut headed the runner-up Froggy on the short run to the final obstacle before showing a resolute attitude to the dismiss the renewed challenge of that rival by a length.
With victorious handler Jim Dreaper absent, it was left to Codd, to comment of last year’s Kirkistown maiden scorer: “Jim felt that this was a very nice starting point for this fellow. He may run in another winners race or a hunters chase but will make a lovely staying chaser going forward.”
MARKET SUPPORT
On a trying afternoon for the seven bookmakers present, there was a gamble of some substance landed in the Connollys Red Mills Horse Feed five-year-old geldings maiden as debutant Dashing Perk (8-2/1J favourite) justified strong market support in style under Noel McParlan. Given the office some way from home, the Kayf Tara-sired gelding had many of his 11 rivals under pressure turning for home, before eventually dismissing Fightfirewithfire by a comfortable four lengths. Enfield, Co Meath-located Shane Nolan has care of the bay for former leading amateur Barry Potts and the latter reflected of his half-brother to four-time track victor Double Dash: “This is a big green horse who we thought would run well today. He’s taken a bit of time and is still a bit raw. He’ll most likely go for a bumper now or be sold.”
The County Roscommon Hunt five-year-old and upward mares maiden saw the Tom Keating-handled Laughing Lesa (2-5/4 favourite) confirm herself as a mare of some potential with a thoroughly likeable victory. Dispatched at prohibitive odds following a hugely encouraging initial effort at Bartlemy last May, the daughter of Flemensfirth dominated up front from an early stage under Eoin O’Sullivan and was not hard pressed to ultimately outpoint the challenge of Kilganer Queen by a snug two lengths.
“This is very nice mare; Eoin was very impressed with her today. We’ll have a look at a bumper with her now. I’m delighted for her owner who flew in to be here today,” explained Keating, who has care of the close relation to Merry Gale for Frank Moynihan.
FAMILY SUCCESS
There was an extremely popular family success in the County Roscommon Hunt open-lightweight as the admirably consistent Rosc Catha (6-7/1) got the measure of some more fancied rivals under an enterprising Shauna Larkin-ride. Having moved through to lead after the completion of a circuit, Ms Larkin and her mount made a race-winning moving down the back straight for the final time when kicking some way clear.
In spite of a strong challenge from favourite Sizing Solution (1/1-5/4 favourite) in the straight, the Michael Larkin-owned bay still had sufficient reserves of stamina to withstand the Codd-partnered favourite by three lengths at the line. The now three-time points victor is handled in Eyrecourt, Co Galway by Cyril Larkin, who stated: “We actually thought about going to Grennan with him today but changed our mind thankfully. Shauna gave him a super ride as he likes doing his own thing in front like that. He’s been a great servant and will go for a winners-of-three now.”
Fellow handler and Larkin’s near neighbour in Laurencetown, Co Galway, Shane Ryder was on the mark in the closing County Roscommon Hunt six-year-old and upwards gelding maiden as Kilbrogan (2-7/4 favourite) delivered on the promise of his recent Loughrea-third placed effort in taking fashion.
Capably-ridden by Alan McNulty, who was recording his second career victory; the victorious son of Beneficial could be called the winner some way from home and had little difficulty in condemning The Nidge Man to the runner-up berth by 10 lengths.
“This lad has had his problems but seems back to himself now. He did it nicely there in fairness and we might have a look at a handicap hurdle for him now on the track next,” revealed winning handler Ryder of his charge, who sports the silks of the Three Amigos Partnership.
Ryder’s got skill
SHANE Ryder’s training skills were once again seen to excellent effect in the closing older geldings’ maiden, as Kilbrogan ran out a comfortable winner in the hands of Alan McNulty. Ryder, whose talented-gelding Lisa’s Legacy enjoyed a tremendous summer campaign inside the rails, disclosed: “I’m just thrilled for the owners, Eamon Keane, Tommy Feeney and his son Kenny who have been very patient with this fellow.
“They’re a great bunch of lads from Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo and I’m glad they’re patience has been rewarded today. Alan (McNulty) gave him a super spin and deserved his chance as he does a lot of schooling for me. I’ve 12 in training at the minute, consisting mostly of young horses and will always take a few more if offered. The horses are running well thank god and long may it last.”