Codd on the mark again in bumper

Champion point-to-point rider Jamie Codd partnered his third bumper winner within the past fortnight as Sizinguptheamazon made a winning debut in the finale at Clonmel.

The Flemensfirth gelding, a rare bumper winner for trainer Jim Dreaper, travelled strongly to lead in the straight and was driven out by Codd from over a furlong out.

The 4/1 chance had nearly three lengths to spare over odds-on favourite Augustin (4/7), with the front-running Ben Button dropping away to finish another 12 lengths back in third.

Dreaper said, "I absolutely have no idea when was the last time I had a bumper winner. It could be 20 years and it'd take someone with time to waste to find out! This fellow must be an exceptional horse!

"He hasn't shown us a lot at home and was mentally backward so we skipped point-to-points as I thought he wouldn't hack it or be able for them.

"I won't go hurdling until next season but doubt he'll be up to a winners' bumper. I'm just delighted to have him and delighted to have a winner for his owners."

Checking through the statistics, Notre Pere at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting in 2006 was in fact Dreaper's last bumper winner!

(TW & AM)