Experience proves crucial for Cody's Fella in Maiden

Easy Fella had to call on all the experience he gained in seven previous runs over flights in order to finally shed his maiden tag in the Ladbrokes Daily Odds Boost Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown.

The Ray Cody trained gelding had run in some fair maidens prior to today, reaching the frame on four of his seven starts.

Sent straight to the front under Niall Moore, the six-year-old showed real battling qualities before eventually pulling clear in the straight for a deserved success.

Pushed along approaching the third last as the field closed up in behind, the Yeats gelding produced a big jump that saw him come away from the flight a couple of lengths to the good.

As Moore got lower in the saddle, the partnership went clear after two out and not even a slight mistake at the final flight hindered their progress.

Moore said:- “He's a big horse who covers a lot of ground and you have to make plenty of use of him.

“I found that the day I rode him in Ballinrobe so I said today I'd make use of that big lovely stride he has and give him a good bit of help down to his hurdles.

“He can be lazy at times and sticky. He missed one or two but was taking lengths from the horses everywhere else.

“I got a good breather into him down the bottom and when I kicked I was gone.

“He was very idle in front, he's a big lazy oul fella. Whatever he does over hurdles he's only going to improve when he goes jumping fences.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson