Cody in control on hurdling debut Captain Cody justified his short price with a facile victory on his jumping debut in the Connolly's Red Mills Irish EBF Ladies Auction Maiden Hurdle at Gowran Park. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding, sixth in last season's Cheltenham bumper, went to post a 2/11 shot on his hurdling debut. Jody Townend settled her mount behind the leaders and charted a wide course in the two-and-a-half miles contest. The Arctic Cosmos gelding took closer order four from home and hit the front before the last. The result never looked in doubt in the home-straight as he came home on the bridle to beat Backtonormal by 10 lengths. Patrick Mullins said afterwards:- “He jumped a bit rusty at times but when it counted, over the last two, was very good. "He seems to love this heavy ground, Jody will be delighted to get a win on him and it's onwards and upwards for him now." Paddy Power cut the winner into 25/1 (from 50/1) for the Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham. (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
