Bally Longford gets his head in front Bally Longford incredibly went off at 11/4 for the bumper at Downpatrick, but his uneasiness in the market wasn’t reflected in his performance as he snugly took the spoils. The five-year-old gelding was getting off the mark at the fourth time of asking in bumpers. His three outings had yielded a second, third and fourth (including a third here in March to Benemeade). Patrick Mullins was on board for his dad Willie. He was content to track frontrunner South sea Island before moving to the front inside the final furlong to win by two lengths. Southsea Island was the steamer in Ireland today as he was supported from 33/1 down to an SP of 10/1. However, after taking the field along he weakened rapidly two furlongs out and had to settle for sixth place. Bally Longford opened at evens this morning and drifted out to 15/8 before being returned at 11/4 at the track. He beat Cordelia Belle (6/1) into second with 11/10 favourite Couler France in third, beaten a total of eight lengths. "The good ground was a big advantage. He wants a trip over hurdles. He'll be a fun summer horse and will win over hurdles and fences then" Patrick Mullins said. Niall Kelly was a late jockey change on Noel Meade’s favourite as Nina Carberry was taken to hospital for an X-ray on a suspected broken collarbone. She had been unseated at the second by Another Palm in the Ulster Grand National. She had replaced her brother Paul on Another Palm as he didn’t ride at Downpatrick today because of being unseated from Mae’s Choice at Fairyhouse yesterday.
