Cody decision pays off as he bags big prize

THERE were few complaints for Welsh racing supporters about the small fields at Ascot on Saturday.

The five expected runners for the 1965 Chase were reduced to two due to concerns about the going. The outsider of the pair who remained was the Evan Williams-trained veteran Coole Cody.

The previous week at Cheltenham he made an early mistake and jockey Adam Wedge pulled him up. His jumping at Ascot left something to be desired, but his sole rival Saint Calvados ran much too freely and ran out of steam.

Coole Cody motored past and trotted up by 10 lengths, netting his owners a prize of £39,865.

Lorcan Williams rode the easiest winner of his career in the second race on the programme, which became a walkover when four of the five runners were withdrawn. He was partnering Milan Bridge in a three-mile novice chase, but instead of jumping 20 fences all he had to do was go down to the landing side of the final fence, turn and pass the winning post.

His other rides yielded a second and a third, so it wasn’t a bad day at the office for him.

On Sunday at Uttoxeter, James Davies had fortune on his side when riding Boys Of Wexford in his debut over fences. The 16-1 shot made the running until being passed by a horse travelling much better at the fourthlast fence. However, that one came down at the next and left Boys Of Wexford back in front. Davies was in no mood to throw away the second chance and the horse stayed on determinedly.

Lisnagar Oscar, the Rebecca Curtis-trained winner of the Stayers’ Hurdle in 2020, has been retired. He had shown smart form as a novice in 2018-19, only to disappoint when tried over fences the next season.

Relishing a return to the smaller obstacles, he finished third in the Cleeve Hurdle before producing by far his best effort in a stronglyrun Stayers’ Hurdle.

Since then Lisnagar Oscar was rarely able to show his best form and Curtis suspects a heavy fall in the 2021 Stayers’ Hurdle affected his confidence.

Our next meeting at Ffos Las is this Friday (November 25) when you will be able to combine live racing and the Wales World Cup game against Iran live on our TV screens. It’s free admission if you book in advance.

Gates open at 9am and the match kicks off at 10am. There are seven races from 12.20pm.