Double for Codd as he takes the lead

Jamie Codd moved one ahead of Patrick Mullins in the race to be Champion Amateur, as he guided Double Portrait to victory in the Pegsus Horse Feed Point-to-Point Flat Race.

Codd was completing a double aboard the son of Portrait Gallery, having scored in the previous race on the Jim Dreaper trained Sizing Solution

Second on his last two starts in point-to-point's for David O'Brien, Double Portrait was subsequently bought for 42,500 pounds at Tattersalls in February.

Making his debut for Gordon Elliott today he opened at 6's on-course, touching 7's before going off a 4/1 chance.

Settled in mid-division he took closer order on the outer on the approach to the straight.

He was ridden and looked to be struggling in fifth with two furlongs to go, however he found another gear over a furlong out, staying on best to lead inside the final furlong, going on to score by a length. Smithscorner (66's this morning and returned 16's) finished second under Pat Collins for Robert Tyner.

The 4/6 favourite Fabulous Saga was another two and three parts of a length back in third under Patrick Mullins (who rode in the first at Fairyhouse) for his father Willie.

Olly Murphy, Gordon Elliott's assistant, said afterwards: "He's a lovely big horse and will only come into himself when he jumps a fence.

"He looks a grand big honest horse and it puts Jamie one ahead (of Patrick Mullins) so that's important too as he's a big part of the team."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes