Gainford seen to good effect on Birmingham Alabama Birmingham Alabama responded to a strong Jordan Gainford drive to capture the three mile handicap hurdle at Leopardstown. Mellem held an advantage of a couple of lengths jumping the last with Birmingham Alabama finding her second wind in fourth. The leader was all out in the closing stages and Gainford sent Birmingham Alabama into second in hot pursuit. He switched her from the rail and she delivered a strong finish down the centre to force a three-way photo with The Miracle Man devouring the ground on the outer. Eamon Delany's Birmingham Alabama (14/1) got the verdict by a head from The Miracle Man (20/1) with Mellem the same distance away in third at 40/1. Each-way players received a dividend from fourth-placed Game And Glory (40/1) who was two lengths off the front three. Assistant trainer Alan Delany said: “I was a bit concerned coming across the line because I thought we were nodded, but it’s great. “Coming here we were fairly hopeful. The last day she just didn’t handle the ground. “We had the two-and-a-half mile and the three-mile and, with the new rating bands, she was one pound out from getting in earlier. “It was a fair performance carrying 12-1 over three miles. I’m delighted with that. “Jordan said he got into a little bit of a pocket, but once she passed one or two she motored home. “I was going to claim off her, but then Jordan rang me on Friday morning. He was after getting cleared to ride, so I was delighted to put him back up. “She’s a good strong mare and on the slightly better ground today she was able to carry the weight. “We’ll probably go with her to Fairyhouse at Easter time, there are a couple of races there that might suit.” Gainford was back in action today after a spill at Haydock in mid-February. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
