They favoured Bally Longford (15/8 this morning into 6/5) in the ring for the concluding November Flat Race at Downpatrick but out on the track it was no contest as his main market rival, Curley Bill slammed him to the tune of six lengths.

Nina Carberry bided her time aboard Curley Bill (13/8 this morning out to 2/1) and when she unleashed the Heron Island gelding up the nearside rail inside the last, he exploded into top-gear to beat the always on the pace Bally Longford.

Winning owner/trainer, Noel Meade said: "We were very disappointed at Fairyhouse (2nd there to Expanding Universe), we thought he would win.

"Maybe we went a bit too soon there with him. You can blow a horse up in the last two furlongs.

"He'll go jumping now - he's like a rocket. He's a decent horse." (MG & EM)