Longford makes winning chase debut

Bally Longford looked a natural over fences as he made a winning debut over the larger obstacles in the beginners chase at Kilbeggan.

Andrew Lynch tracked runaway leader Waltz Legend in the two-and-a-half mile contest before hitting the front on the long run to the last fence.

He held Chill at bay by a length-and-a-quarter in the closing stages. 11/8 favourite Indevan could only finish fifth.

“I'm delighted with that. It was a competitive race and there were plenty of them with similar ratings over hurdles,” said trainer Henry de Bromhead.

“He jumped liked a bunny and was deadly for Andrew. He did it nicely in the end and although he only won by just over a length he never had to hit him.

“Alan and Ann (Potts) love Killarney and the 2m6f race there will be definitely considered. He won his novice hurdle around Galway and the 2m1f novice there is also a possible. ”

There was a scare at the sixth fence when the winner attempted to duck out and de Bromhead added:-

“Andrew said he was a bit asleep and when the fence came upon him he tried to duck out. It was his first time over fences and he probably got a bit of a fright – Andrew got a bit of a fright!”