Oldschool Outlaw outguns favourite for Elliott/Kennedy treble Bambino Fever made her eagerly-awaited hurdling debut at Naas, but she was unable to reel in Oldschool Outlaw (3/1) who sealed a treble for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy. Bambino Fever, last season's star bumper campaigner with Grade One victories in Cheltenham and Punchestown, went off at 1/4 favourite to account for her 18 rivals. She stalked Listed bumper winner Oldschool Outlaw and the 'big two' had the race between themselves as it unfolded at the final flight. Oldschool Outlaw got away from it well and try as Bambino Fever and Paul Townend did, they were unable to get on terms with her as they went down by half a length. There was an 11-length gap back to 40/1 Radiator Springs. This was Bambino Fever's first defeat having been a perfect four from four in bumpers. Elliott said: “You should never be afraid of one and if you were afraid of one every day, you’d never run. In Ireland you can’t duck and dive - there is no hiding place. “I thought it was a good performance albeit we had fitness on our side. Jack said she wasn’t for passing and said she was very gutsy. He felt she was in front too soon. “I think she’ll be better over a bit further. “We knew she was jumping well at home and she had a couple of runs in point-to-points. “We’ll probably keep her to her own sex, and I think she could be one for the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham. I’d imagine one more run and then Cheltenham.” Paddy Power kept Bambino Fever unchanged at 7/2 favourite for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival while Oldschool Outlaw was slashed from 33/1 to 6/1. The same bookmaker eased Bambino Fever to 20/1 from 12s for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
