Jamie Codd and Oakley Hall (nearside) come to 'do' Judgement Day and David Roche© Photo Healy Racing
Jamie Codd rode his third winner of the day, and his second bumper winner of the weekend, when 'lifting' Oakley Hall (a well-backed 9/4 shot) home in the Goffs Punchestown Festival Invitational Sale (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.
Codd partnered a couple of earlier victors at the point-to-point at Oldtown, and he came to Punchestown to help Gordon Elliott (150th Irish winner this season) to a double. Elliott got his name on the scoresheet in the opener with the Jack Kennedy-ridden Mick Jazz
Yesterday at Fairyhouse Codd had enjoyed an easy success on Elliott's Fayonagh, but here he looked likely to be kept at bay by the David Roche-ridden Judgement Day who looked a winner when sent for home after travelling well into the straight.
However Codd simply refused to be denied and in Oakley Hall he had a willing partner. They got up close home to score by half a length.
It's nip and tuck between Codd and Patrick Mullins in the race to be crowned champion amateur rider this season. Mullins was on the favourite here, Clitandre and he was struggling when hampered entering the straight. That French-bred ended up finishing last.
Gordon Elliott said afterwards: "That was the wrong track here for him and he'll be a two and a half or three mile chaser down the road. He's for sale and should make a nice prospect for someone."
(AM & EM)
