Lingo given Kingwell target
Lingo is likely to advertise his Smurfit Champion Hurdle credentials in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton on February 18.
The Jonjo O’Neill-trained seven-year-old entered the equation for the Cheltenham Festival when shrugging off a near two-year absence to land the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle in November.
A problem with his blood picture then ruled him out of the Stan James Christmas Hurdle at Sandown on St Stephen's Day, but O’Neill reports the JP McManus-owned gelding ready for a return to the track.
He told the Racing Post: “He’s in great form and absolutely flying at the moment. He was below par before Christmas but is back to himself and is flying again.
“He’ll probably have one more run in the Kingwell before the Champion, but it is possible he might even go straight there.”
Lingo is a general 7-1 chance to take the top honours in the Champion Hurdle.
