Codd nets brilliant double at Kirkistown

28 November 2018

THE North Down meeting at Kirkistown on a cold, but dry day on Saturday brought the curtain down on the local Autumn point-to-point season.

Thanks to a good entry, one race was divided and there was plenty of thrills and spills to keep spectators enthralled.

The meeting proved to be a good one for Wexford jockey Jamie Codd as he recorded a brace at a course that he has always done well at — once riding a five-timer. His first success of the day came in the third race, sponsored by Strangford Arms Hotel.

In this race, Destination Dylan, a late spare ride for Barry O’Neil as intended rider Luke McGuinness was taken to hospital following a fall in the previous race, set out to make all and still led at the final fence only for Codd to deliver a challenge that saw him get Larry Looby, owned and trained by by former amateur Norman Geraghty, a brother of top jump jockey Barry from Co Meath, to go on and win with Samurai Crecker, ridden by Luke Murphy for Dromara owner Alan McCaldin, third of 10 starters after Golan Warrior was withdrawn.

Codd’s double came in the final race of the day for six year-old geldings when he rode newcomer Too Wise Man, trained by Jim Dreaper near Dublin, to victory over Okey Dokey, ridden by Johnnie Barry for Bangor owner/trainer Clare Cannon, third here was Anticur.

The JA Electrical Services open race saw a dramatic finish. Racing to the last fence, local hope Twilight Shadow crashed out, pinning Downpatrick jockey Declan Lavery underneath with commentator Richard Pugh calling for immediate attention. Thankfully, Lavery eventually emerged uninjured and the race went to recent winner Coaster Tiep, a former Paul Nicholls inmate, but now in the care of Larne trainer Stuart Crawford and ridden by bis brother, Ben.

Second here was Chosen Dream, running for the first time since winning at Stratford in June when a 66/1 shot under Mark O’Hare, but ridden here by Derek O’Connor. Sambremont made a lot of the running, but had to settle for third.

The opening Dennison Commercials four year-old maiden race was divided due to the large declarations and in the first divide, Eaglehill, in the sponsors silks, proved to be the ready winner.

Tareeshar, in the colours of Downpatrick’s Paddy Madine and ridden by Declan Lavery, had led before the last, a good run as the winner was running for the fifth time while Tareeshar, a horse that Madine bought as a foal, was running for the first time. Third here was Wexford runner Clondaw Promise.

In the second division the Richard Black-owned and trained First Earl and Luke Murphy looked good, going to the final fence only for Allbarone to put in a sprint finish under Rob James to win by four lengths with Irish Hill, who, like the winner of the first division is owned by Wilson Dennison and ridden by Derek O’Connor, in third.

Allbarone is yet another winner for Monbeg Syndicate, Wexford trainer Donnehadh Doyle and stable jockey Rob James, who are all having a great season.

In the BRG Autohub race, Brophies Doll, second at the revet Loughnamore meeting, went one better when winning in good style. Largy Princess was second and Rubiana, in the colours of local owner Anne Wishart third. Rubiana is trained in Banbridge by Sarah Dawson and ridden by Declan Lavery.

The winner is owned by James Jenkins of Ballyclare, who rode as a professional and an amateur for many years. The green and navy colours that he uses at present were worn by his father and namesake many years ago.

With Noel McParlan riding another horse in the race for Danny Fitzsimons, now training at Dromore, Wexford jockey Shane Fitzgerald came in for the winning ride. Maine Dancer came down at the third last with Luke McCullough removed to hospital with a hip injury.

In the Wilson’s Auctions race recent Loughanmore winner The Echo Boy and Larry O’Carroll again set out to make all the running and did so to win by two lengths from Sidetracked and Portrush winner Minimum Mix.

Barry Jones became the North Down meting’s youngest ever clerk of the course on Saturday and local official Frankie FItzsimons was full of praise for the job he did prior to the meeting, assisted by his father Barney and brother, Philly.

It was most interesting to be informed that three of Saturday’s officials, Fred Walker, Hugh Ferguson and Rev Colin Hall-Thompson, all rode in the same race at a North Down meeting in Comber some 40 years ago. Don’t know if any of them rode the winner that day.

A special thank you Hugh Ferguson for all the extra effort he puts in got a meeting to make sure the riders and racegoers are well looked after. Thanks to Hugh, riders, runners and results are always available and more like him are needed at many venues north and south of the border.

Point-to-points lost a great supporter with the recent passing of Peggy Kerr from Ballygowan.

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