Ange justifies favoritism in bumper

Ange Balafre sent punters home happy at Roscommon when taking the bumper for Nina Carberry and Noel Meade.

Carberry sent the French-bred to the front about two furlongs out but the 11/10 favourite was soon strongly pressed by newcomer Henry’s Girl, with Derek O’Connor getting down near his minimum weight of 11st.

However the ‘jolly’ kept on really well inside the final furlong to score by three and a quarter lengths, with Ballintotty Boy also making a promising debut two and a quarter lengths further adrift in third.

Meade said, “It was stupid running him at Sligo the last day. He was gone over the top at that stage. He had a great first run, and you would struggle to find a better looking horse here today.

“He will go hurdling now but I’m just worried that he might be ground dependent.”

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes