Fourth-pick Shaneshill wins Champ Bumper

Leading amateur jockey Jamie Codd notched up his first Grade 1 win when steering Shaneshill to win the Attheraces.com Champion Bumper at Punchestown today, completing a Grade 1 double for Champion Trainer Willie Mullins.

Codd moved Shaneshill to lead before the home turn and from there, the pair stayed on well for a two lengths win over Cheltenham Bumper winner Silver Concorde

Mullins ran four horses in the race and while Shaneshill was returned the 5/1 second favourite, was passed-over in the pecking order by the trainer's stable amateur riders and 'left' to fourth-choice Codd to ride.

Mullins later explained “Shaneshill's work was very middling coming into this and he was fourth choice in the race among our work riders.

“It was a brave ride from Jamie. He felt he was going well enough and took the bull by the horns; I thought he had gone a bit too soon but he stayed on well. Jamie felt he'd get the speed horses off the bridle and he looked a stayer there. He could be one for staying novice hurdles next year.”

Regarding his other three horses, Mullins said “Black Hercules had been working really well but he was very disappointing - maybe he was just doing too much at home or perhaps he wants heavier ground.

“Aminabad seemed to come in a bit distressed but Killultagh Vic probably ran his race.”

Silver Concorde's rider Robbie McNamara also commented “the ground was probably a little bit soft for him but take nothing away from the winner who did it very well.”

Jockey Codd, runner-up to Derek O'Connor in the Jockeys Championship in each of the last seven point to point seasons, currently leads O'Connor by one winner as this season nears its conclusion.

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee