She has a nice name and she has a future - that's Popong For owner Deborah Halley and trainer Henry de Bromhead Popong (16/1) looked smart on debut when winning division two of the Springtime In Wexford Maiden Hurdle under Hugh Morgan. Danny Mullins started the day with a win on Pont Aven, but he took his second fall in succession for his uncle Willie when Southern Nights (2/1 into 13/8) came down at the hurdle in the back straight with over a circuit to race. Like Defy De Mee in the previous heat, Southern Nights was at the head of affairs when tumbling and thankfully Mullins was quickly on his feet. At the business end then Popong, a daughter of Subtle Power, convincingly accounted for Edelpour (5/4 favourite) and Trappist Monk (8/1) by four and a half lengths and two lengths. "She was always a nice filly at home but I suppose it was a bit of a surprise, especially with how well she won it," said Morgan. "Coming up the straight she really flew home. She is a lovely genuine filly because coming down the hill there was a tight gap that I asked her to take and she took it for me. "I'm delighted to get it for the Halley's and my boss Mr de Bromhead. That's my fourth winner, Ciaran O'Toole is my agent and hopefully that will give him more to work on." Gerry Halley bred Popong and he added: "He is named after my brother Rufus who we used to call Popong. He was a missionary in the Philippines and he was amazing man. He was murdered out there in 2001." (DM & EM)
