Veteran rider Jamie Codd was the jockey in form at the Shillelagh & District Hunt autumn point-to-point meeting at Fairwood Park, Tinahely, today, where he rode three winners, two of them for Piltown (Co. Kilkenny) handler David O’Brien.

Handler Denis Murphy from Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, saddled his seventh winner of the new season to go top of the table when Jamie Codd guided home Honest Exchange by five lengths in the maiden race for five year old geldings. “He is an improving sort and will win lots of races,” said Denis afterwards, and he added; “If he isn’t sold he wil go for a ‘winners’ race next.”

The Codd-O’Brien combination clicked into winning form in the final two races. Leeswood Lady won the maiden race for mares by five lengths and may have gained a bit of luck as The Fordge (ridden by Jordan Gainford for Sean Doyle) held the lead at the last when she came down.

It was Codd and O’Brien again in the winners’ enclosure after Ran Rite scored a five lengths victory in the maiden race for older geldings. Codd’s treble put him on top of the riders’ championship with seven winners after only the third weekend of the new season.

Rider Shane Fitzgerald celebrated his 22nd birthday with a success in the maiden race for four year olds aboard Mick Goff’s Nelsons Rock, which ran in the colours of his wife Caitriona. “He missd the fourth last at Ballingarry (on his previous run) and was a bit unlucky. He jumps and stays and I’m delighted with him. He appreciated the stiff test today. I would put it down to the ground. He will probably be sold,” said the Monageer handler afterwards. Nelsons Rock had one and a half lengths to spare on the finish line.

Getawaytonewbay provided father and son, owner and handler, Jimmy and Vincent Devereux, of Rostoonstown Stud, Broadway, with a five lengths success in the Winners of One for mares with Shane O’Rourke, Foulksmills, in the saddle. “He done it well,” said Vincent, who has eight horses in training at the present time.

Better B Quick gave a fine account of himself in the Open Lightweight Race, winning by two and a half lengths and given a good ride by Tiernan Power Roche from Tomhaggard. It was a first winner under his own name for handler Michael Murphy, Redbridge Stud, Duncormick. “Better B Quick will be aimed for the banks’ race at Lingstown in November,” stated his handler afterwards.

It was a lovely day for point-to-pointing. The track was in perfect condition and there was a large attendance, most notable being the number of younger people in attendance.

Fixtures for NOVEMBER; Sunday, 10th, Wexford Hunt at Knockmullen House, New Ross. Sunday, 17th, Wicklow Hunt at Fairwood, Tinahely. Saturday, 24th, Killinick Harriers, Lingstown, Tomhaggard. DECEMBER; Sunday, 8th, Carlow Farmers at Borris House, Borris.