Mark Nunan
Treble for Elliott as Sam's Choice takes bumper
Sam's Choice and Jamie Codd (centre) beat State Of Honor (right)
© Photo Healy Racing
Jamie Codd gave Sam’s Profile (15/8 fav) a strong drive to win the bumper and complete a treble for Gordon Elliott.
The Kalanisi gelding was always in the front rank but was headed over a furlong out by State Of Honor who bagged the stands’ side rail in the straight as the runners fanned looking for better ground.
Once Codd got to work, though, the picture changed and Sam’s Profile regained the lead inside the final furlong to score by a length and a quarter.
The 5-year-old finished runner-up to his then stablemate Gordon’s Jet on his debut at Punchestown last September and hadn’t been seen since finishing fourth to Colonel Mustard at the same venue later that month.
Elliott had earlier been on the mark with Longacre Square and Perfect Attitude
Codd said: "He had a good first run and disappointed a small bit the second day but still stayed going to finish fourth.
"He has done his job and it is nice to win a bumper with these horses and he'll go jumping sooner rather than later. He looks like a horse who stays."
Quotes from Thomas Weekes