Empire Burleque holds off Fulham Road in the bumper© Photo Healy Racing
Jamie Codd and Patrick Mullins are having a terrific battle for the amateur riders’ title this season, and Codd edged ahead of his great rival when completing a double aboard Empire Burleque in the Ian Smith Memorial bumper at Fairyhouse.
Mullins rode bumper winners this week at Punchestown and Thurles but Codd now has the slight advantage at 29-28 after following up the previous race success of Aupcharlie in the hunter chase.
Codd set a steady pace on the Ballindenisk point-to-point winner, and it was Mullins who looked the more confident early in the straight as Fulham Road travelled smoothly on his coattails.
However the 9/10 favourite didn’t find as much as expected inside the final furlong, and market rival Empire Burleque stayed on resolutely.
The 11/8 chance had three quarters of a length to spare at the line, with the pair drawing clear of Who Said That in third.
Gordon Elliott was also completing a double on the afternoon as he added to the earlier victory of Dinaria Des Obeaux who was promoted after a stewards’ enquiry in the opener.
Elliott said, “The race wasn't run to suit him. He's a nice horse and he might be a horse for Punchestown. He works well and we like him a lot. He's a horse for next year really. He was only learning what to do 50 yards from the line. I like him.
“Jamie is brilliant. He rides out a lot for us at home and he knows the horses.”
(GC & AM)
