Gamble foiled as Love completes hat-trick

Feeling The Love just prevailed in the Irish Examiner Handicap Hurdle, foiling the gamble on Babanango

Successful on her last two starts at Killarney and Limerick respectively, the Jessica Harrington trained victor was sent off an easy to back 9/2 chance this afternoon.

The Tony Martin trained Babanango was the one for money, opening on-course at 13/2 (from 12s in early shows) before going off a 7/2 co-favourite of three under Andrew Lynch.

The duo were locked together at the last, and had a great tussle on the run-in, with Feeling The Love getting on top close home to score by a short head.

Mark Walsh was aboard the winner in the colours of JP McManus, while 20/1 chance Tikkanen Express was another five lengths back in third. Storm Rising and Due Reward were the other co-favourites. The former finished fifth, while the latter fell three out when still in with every chance.

STEWARDS REPORTS

A.E. Lynch, rider of Babanango (FR) trained by A.J.Martin, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung to the left.

The Stewards enquired into an incident in the closing stages involving Feeling The Love, ridden by M.P. Walsh, placed first, Tikkanen Express, ridden by P.T. Enright, placed third and Babanango (FR), ridden by A.E. Lynch, placed second. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards took no further action.