Bambino Fever delivers dominant Fairyhouse win

Champion Bumper heroine Bambino Fever got off the mark over obstacles with a comprehensive success in the Tote Always SP Or Better Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

The Willie Mullins-trained mare won the Grade One National Hunt Flat contests at both the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals last term, capping a flawless campaign that yielded four wins from four starts.

She started out over hurdles at Naas last month and was beaten into second place as the 1-4 favourite, and was the 1-10 market leader for her second attempt over two miles and two furlongs at Fairyhouse – again under Paul Townend.

Bambino Fever justified those odds this time and after making all the running, she posted an comfortable 12-length victory to shorten from 5-2 to 13-8 with Paddy Power in her position as the favourite for the Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

“That was grand. I would have liked a lead as she wasn’t doing a lot in front but she was jumping clean,” said the winning rider.

“She had to get down and race over the last two. I didn’t get anywhere near the bottom of her but she learned how to jump fast and she did it well.

“We would have been disappointed if she didn’t do what she has done. I can’t tell you from that the ability she has but I liked what she did.

“She jumped clean early but got the experience of being in front as well, if she has to do that in future.

“When I woke her up she was good.”