FULKE WALWYN KIM

MUIR CHALLENGE CUP

HANDICAP CHASE

(AMATEUR)

THERE would have been times during the race where supporters of the pair would have been looking on anxiously but, as it transpired, Jamie Codd and trusty ally Causes Of Causes were much too strong for their opponents in the Kim Muir.

A runner-up in this race in 2014, the Gordon Elliott stalwart won last year’s National Hunt Chase under a masterful waiting wide and similar tactics were deployed this time. The 9/2 second favourite jumped off at the rear and that was where he remained for the vast majority of this three and a quarter miles contest.

The J.P. McManus-owned runner did begin to inch closer from four out but it was after the next that he really began to get going and, having had plenty to do from ninth turning into the straight, he jumped the second last in front. The eight-year-old then proceeded to storm clear and he crossed the line with a dozen lengths to spare. This was a remarkable fourth Kim Muir win for Codd while Cause Of Causes is only the second Irish-trained horse to win this race since 1983.

“Obviously it was sad to lose No More Heroes but we’ve got to keep our heads up and it’s been a great team effort by everybody this week and Jamie is very much part of that team,” commented Elliott.

“This horse is something else. He’s been with us since he was a four-year-old and he’s been a brilliant horse for us for a long time. He is entered in the National. He ran in it last year (finished eighth) but by the looks of things he might struggle to get in this year.”

Jamie Codd, who now has five Cheltenham triumphs in all, reflected: “His biggest asset is his speed. He stays well but he does have a turn of foot and he’s a very economical jumper. I was flat out for a lot of the race. He’s not the sort of horse that you can start asking for big jumps but he came alive for me three out and I ended up in front too soon.

“I’m in the latter stages of my riding career and it’s just a privilege to be associated with Gordon who has been very good to me since he started as a trainer.”

Record attendance

ANOTHER impressive crowd of 65,544 attended the festival on Thursday, easily topping last year’s record of 60,495 for the third day, St Patrick’s Thursday, since the festival went to four days in 2005.

The increase over last year amounted to 5,549 racegoers (+8.5%).

Mullins ban

DAVID Mullins picked up a two day ban whip ban after partnering Valseur Lido into second in the Ryanair Chase. In the same race Road To Riches was found to have lost his right fore shoe.

Meade is proud

NOEL Meade expressed himself proud of Road To Riches following that one’s third in the Ryanair Chase. He confirmed that his high class chaser would now be given various entries at both Aintree and Punchestown.

Niceonefrankie put down

UNFORTUNATELY Niceonefrankie had to be put down after picking up a bad injury when falling four from home in the race won by Empire Of Dirt.