Bob Lingo win marred by fatal fall for Bellvano
Report: Fairyhouse, Tuesday
Dan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase (Grade A) 2m1f, 4yo+
BOB LINGO gave owner JP McManus his sixth winner of the Fairyhouse Easter Festival, though the race was marred by the fatal fall of Grand Annual winner Bellvano, who is also owned by McManus.
Paul Carberry was on board the Cheltenham Festival winner, who was in fourth when taking a tired fall at the last. Carberry was unscathed, but the Nicky Henderson-trained eight-year-old sadly died.
Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus paid tribute to Bellvano. He said: "It's a shame to lose him after giving us such a great day at Cheltenham, he didn't deserve that."
For Bob Lingo it was a first victorysince winning at the track last January and trainer Tom Mullins said: "We fancied him in the Thyestes, but he lost his way. He was definitely a fresher horse today as we didn't train him as hard since. We might exploit his hurdle mark of 121 at Punchestown next."
The ten-year-old had always been in the front three, tracking The Sneezer with Uncle Tom Cobley also in attendance.
Turning for home it was clear that favourite Shot From The Hip was not going to be a factor as Tony McCoy was already pushing and shoving, and it was left to Bob Lingo, Uncle Tom Cobley and Foildubh to fight out the finish.
All three were spread across the track, butit was the 12-1 shot who came home best by three and a half lengths, with Foildubh second at 10-1 and Uncle Tom Cobley third at 11-2.
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