Lingo Blow For O´Neill The Smurfit Champion Hurdle lost another leading contender on Saturday morning when Lingo had to be destroyed after breaking a leg on the gallops. The Jonjo O´Neill-trained seven-year-old suffered the injury between the hoof and the joint on a hind leg when working in preparation for the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton on February 18. 'The staff are all in bits, especially Becky Turner, who looked after him,' O´Neill said of the JP McManus-owned gelding. 'It was just a normal routine exercise. He went 20 yards and his hind leg snapped. It is a sickener for everybody, but what do you do? You just have to get on with it. 'We were looking forward to Cheltenham with him and it´s a terrible blow for everybody at the yard.' With Harchibald and Feathard Lady already ruled out for the season, Brave Inca, who is now expected to be the mount of Tony McCoy at Cheltenham on March 14, has shortened to 13-8 favourite from 7-4 with totesport. The same firm make defending champion Hardy Eustace 9-2 (from 5s), Macs Joy 5-1 (from 6s), Arcalis 6-1 (from 7s) and Al Eile 12-1 (from 14-1). McCoy said: 'I was hoping Lingo would have won the Kingwell at Wincanton and then I would have been riding him in the Champion Hurdle. 'What has happened is very sad for everyone, including JP and Jonjo. But I am especially sorry for his groom Becky, who has been in tears since 9am this morning. 'It just shows you that you can´t take anything for granted in this game. 'I don´t want to make a comment about my Champion Hurdle ride at this stage.'? PA Sport
