Codd heads into Punchestown finale with hopes after Kilbeggan double Ahead of the Punchestown crescendo next week Jamie Codd squared it up at the head of the amateur rider standings with Patrick Mullins (45 winners apiece) after a Kilbeggan double. It was a brace he completed with Denise Foster through Felicidad in the Put The Kettle On Irish EBF Mares Beginners Chase. Appropriately given the race title it was the Champion Hurdle winning silks of Honeysuckle (Put The Kettle On's stable companion) that were carried home in front here. Kenny Alexander owns Felicidad and she was very good on chase debut to beat the one that headed her for market-supremacy, Reine Fee. Four and a half lengths split them at the finish and the earlier Foster and Codd success came with Buddy Rich in a division of the near two and a half mile maiden hurdle. Thankfully leading conditional Simon Torrens was up after his fall from Presenting Meghan in the mares beginners. “She was the highest rated over hurdles coming into it and she schooled very well at home,” said Codd. “Kenny Alexander and Peter Molony very kindly let me ride her and I’m very grateful to them and the lads in the yard. “It was a good start over fences for her. She handles that ground and I’m sure she could keep going over the summer.” The Stewards reviewed an incident 2 furlongs from the finish where it appeared that Reine Fee, ridden by D. Mullins, ran short of room and checked. Having reviewed the footage of the incident the Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted. D.E. Mullins, rider of Reine Fee trained by Shane Crawley, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made several mistakes early on. (AM & EM)
