The traditional feature of day three of the Cheltenham Festival has looked at the mercy of the rapidly improving Paisley Park since his demolition job in the Cleeve Hurdle over course and distance last month. However, Gordon Elliott has now spoken publicly about the very real possibility of the much-vaunted Samcro, originally ruled out of this year's Festival, lining up in the Sun Racing Stayers' Hurdle.
A little under 12 months ago, Samcro had the racing world at his feet when winning the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle in emphatic fashion to take his record to seven-from-seven in a performance lauded by racing tipping site my racing. Oddsmakers have Samcro listed as 6/1 as of February 22 for the Stayers' Hurdle; optimistic, but still some way short of the favourite status he enjoyed before last year's event.
A fall and first defeat at Punchestown did little to dampen enthusiasm. and connections decided to stay over hurdles this season in the belief that they had the horse to win their first Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
The titanic clash is on! Here are the declarations for Saturday's Grade 1 @BetVictor Fighting Fifth Hurdle:
— Newcastle Racecourse (@NewcastleRaces) November 29, 2018
🏇🏾 Bedrock
🏇🏾 Bleu et Rouge
🏇🏾 Buveur D'Air
🏇🏾 Samcro
🏇🏾 Summerville Boy
🏇🏾 Vision Des Flos
Tickets: https://t.co/76xloeLrIw pic.twitter.com/uCIRnuGLPV
Things, however, did not go to plan. Defeat first time out at Down Royal at odds of 4/9 was a shock but he still went off favourite (as he has in every career race) for a huge showdown with dual champion Buveur D'Air at Newcastle. He was no match for the reigning champion, however, who was imperious in success. The Christmas Grade One in Ireland, the Ryanair, gave him a chance to bounce back but a lacklustre fifth saw connections say his season was over and that he would be back next season for a chasing campaign.
It was soon discovered that he had a lung infection at Leopardstown, however, so perhaps that run can be forgotten. With Gordon Elliott reporting that Samcro is well again and now working like his old self, Cheltenham is back on the agenda with the Stayers' Hurdle now the target and stablemate Apples Jade now firmly in the Champion picture.
Stayers' Hurdle bid possible for Samcro after recovering from lung infection: https://t.co/HepTZLeFG8 pic.twitter.com/nLBZ8XbJPh
— Racing Post (@RacingPost) February 18, 2019
Gordon Elliott has been the Champion Trainer at the Festival the last two years and had a record-breaking 2018 when he saddled eight winners. He has won the Gold Cup, Grand National and a host of other big races so the fact that he has said in the past that Samcro may be the best horse he has ever trained cannot be taken lightly. His success 12 months ago came over 2m5f and he won a 3m point-to-point back in 2016 so perhaps this trip will be the making of him.
This will be Samcro's first race over 3m under Rules but, since 2000, My Way De Solzen, Inglis Drever, Nichols Canyon and Solwhit have all won this in their first crack at 3m. Samcro certainly wasn't stopping up the hill 12 months ago and that certainly offers hope that the extra 3f here will be within his compass. As mentioned, and barring something absolutely extraordinary, he will, for the first time in his career, not go off favourite at the Cheltenham Festival this time around but he rates a huge threat to Paisley Park if back on song.
Such is the regard in which he is held, he will only line up if absolutely 100% and that now looks more than likely. Paisley Park is a seriously good stayer and worthy favourite but, only a few months ago, people were saying that Samcro could go on to be an all-time great. The chance to back him at odds around the 6/1 mark might be a once in a lifetime occurrence and, therefore, he is well worth an investment if and when Gordon Elliott confirms his participation.
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