Longing off the mark on return

Longing gained an important set of brackets when opening her account in the nine-furlong fillies maiden at Tipperary.

The Ballydoyle filly cost 1 million guineas as a yearling and had shaped with promise on her sole previous outing when third at Leopardstown in April.

Seamie Heffernan tracked the leader Rickrack on the even-money favourite before asking her to tackle that rival a furlong-and-a-half from home.

The daughter of Galileo got on top inside the final 100 yards to record a three-parts-of-a-length success. Longing is a half-sister to Group Three winner Ladys First.

"She had the form to win it but it doesn't always go that way. It was a while since she ran so I'm expecting her to improve and she's honest,” said Heffernan.

"She is a big heavy mare and looking at her, you'd think there's plenty improvement in her; she is likeable and put her head down."

(Quotes by Thomas Weekes)