Codd draws level in Amateur dramatics

Jamie Codd is enjoying a memorable season and the rider, fresh from finished second in Saturday’s Aintree Grand National, drew level with Patrick Mullins at the head of the Amateur Jockeys’ Championship with a win of the Gordon Elliott trained Presenting Julio in the Win Big With Tote Handicap Chase at Tramore today.

Codd, who steered National runner-up Cause Of Causes and Fayonagh to Cheltenham Festival wins in March, is currently fighting for titles on two fronts and while he trails Barry O’Neill by four winners (40-36) at the head of the Point To Point Jockeys’ Championship, moved level at the head of the Racecourse version with Presenting Julio’s stylish win.

Codd has now ridden 33 national hunt winners in 2016/17, one more than Patrick Mullins, but has ridden one less winner than Mullins on the Flat in that period, last summer, meaning the score is currently level at 34-34.

Codd’s employer and ally Elliott is himself in a duel with Willie Mullins to be Champion Trainer and following Presenting Julio’s win, which moves him some E360,000 ahead of Mullins, Elliott said “that was grand. He had a good run at Downpatrick the last day and it was a weak race today - I'm delighted he got his head in front.

“It is good for Jamie, he is part of our team and we will help him in any way we can, but Patrick (Mullins) will be hard to beat."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Donal Murphy