Favourite backers are having a mighty time of it at Galway and Bally Longford became the eleventh winning 'jolly' or joint market leader to score from the last fourteen races when he got home by half a length in the Arthur Guinness Projects Novice Hurdle.

The heavily invested upon 11/10 shot (from 11/8) hurdled really slickly in behind the pace-setter Nevskij

He went on from Nevskij from before the straight and it soon looked a matter of how far would he win by.

However to his great credit, Our Man Zebo another point-to-point graduate like the victor, came up the run-in strongly to be just half a length adrift at the line.

Winning owner Alan Potts said of the Andrew Lynch-ridden scorer: "We hope he'll come on and make a decent horse and he's one of fifteen that I have with Willie (Mullins, the trainer).

"I have fifty odd in Ireland and in fairness to this one he is still learning. I had a winner when we were last here about three years ago with Loosen My Load so it's good."

Mullins remarked: "His jumping is a big asset. He is improving and getting stronger all the time. He'll keep to the novice route." (TW & EM)