Codd closes the gap Champion point to point rider Derek O'Connor drew a blank on Sunday, but is still three winners ahead of his nearest rival Jamie Codd at the head of this season's Point to Point Jockeys Championship. Codd partnered the James McAuley trained and one-time smart hurdler and chaser Gaspar to win the 'Open' at Ballydarragh. The win was Gaspar's (owned by McAuley's uncle James Gough) eighth 'points' win since October '09. Champion O'Connor did himself partner a double at Maralin on Saturday, highlighted by the win of the promising Clausen for trainer Ian Ferguson. Codd now trails O'Connor by three winners (16-13). Elsewhere John Thomas McNamara partnered a double for trainer Michael Hourigan at Dungarvan point to point. Both horses, Ballysteen and Best Served Cold made their debuts to win either divisions of the 4YO Maiden and each are owned by Gigginstown House Stud. The Jimmy Mangan trained useful hunter chaser Rudi Trucker (under Damien Murphy) landed the 'Open' at Dungarvan, with one-time Cheltenham Festival winner Sky's The Limit back in third.
