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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Cody in control on hurdling debut

Thu 25th Jan 2024, 14:10

Captain Cody and Jody Townend Captain Cody and Jody Townend
© Photo Healy Racing

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)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.