'I nearly gave up' - Japanese trainer ends 1,515-day losing run at Navan

It is certainly not unprecedented for a small trainer to go through a lean spell after posting a biggest career success, but for Curragh-based Japanese native Takashi Kodama, the drought lasted more than four years.

In August 2017, Kodama enjoyed by far his biggest winner when Ross Coakley partnered Elusive Time to land the €100,000 Irish Cambridgeshire at the Curragh. It took him until Wednesday, some 1,515 days later, for his next visit to the winner's enclosure after Tosen Wish landed the 5½f maiden under Ronan Whelan.

Admittedly, it was only Kodama's 49th runner since that memorable day at the Curragh and he may well have a nice one on his hands again as the son of New Bay, bred by owner Takaya Shimakawa, showed a really good attitude inside the last furlong to beat the more experienced Neo Soul by a neck.

Tosen Wish and Ronan Whelan land the opener for trainer Takashi KodamaCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"It's rare for me to have a winner, so I'm delighted," said Kodama.

Asked if his winless spell had led to thoughts of leaving the training ranks, he replied: "I have been training horses for 15 years, so it would be a very hard decision to give up. Every year, I've been saying to myself that I'll give it one more year. I nearly did give up, but this winner might just make me hold on."

He added: "This colt is a homebred for my main client. He owns the dam Wishing Time, who is in foal to Highland Reel and will be shipped to Japan in a couple of weeks. He'll be delighted with that."

No stopping Huddle

More than one horse appreciated the underfoot conditions through the afternoon, particularly a couple of horses that were out of action over the summer awaiting some soft ground.

The Willie McCreery-trained Huddle Up relished conditions to beat Pretty Boy Floyd in the 5f handicap under Nathan Crosse.

"I didn't run him all summer because he needs an ease in the ground. I think he'll be a lovely horse next year if we can get some ease," said McCreery.

Fozzy Stack has not given up hope that Sir Francis Brooke's filly Pita Pinta can score again this season after she put up a good staying performance under Chris Hayes to land the 1m2f handicap.

"The owner was very patient during a dry summer, we couldn't run her all year," said Stack. "She's in at Galway again on Monday and we might go there."

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