Elliott puts faith in Samcro to step up
GORDON ELLIOTT has a chance to grab some of the headlines today when his superstar novice Samcro takes on the big boys in a mouthwatering renewal of the BETDAQ Punchestown Champion Hurdle. The six-year-old has been earmarked as an outstanding talent since winning his point-to-point two years ago, a performance which prompted Elliott to go to £335,000 to secure his services on behalf of Gigginstown House Stud. And two stunning performances at Grade One level since the turn of the year — the latest in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham — have taken his already huge reputation to another level. ‘Samcro is in good order,’ said Elliott. ‘We were obviously delighted with his performance at Cheltenham and he’s a horse that I feel very lucky to have.’ Samcro had the option of remaining in novice company this week, but instead steps up to take on, among others, the Willie Mullins-trained Melon, who was narrowly beaten by Buveur D’Air in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last month. Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father, said: ‘For my money Samcro is going to be hard to beat. ‘He’s obviously a novice stepping out into open company, but it’s the end of the season and we have won it with a novice before in Davenport Milenium (2002). ‘Melon ran a fabulous race in Cheltenham and has come out of the race very well. I’m not sure how strong the Champion Hurdle form was this year, but he should make Samcro work.’ Mullins has also declared last year’s winner Wicklow Brave, Bleu Berry, Coquin Mans and Min, who finished fourth in Tuesday’s Champion Chase. Patrick enjoyed one of the biggest days of his riding career when steering Wicklow Brave to a surprise win 12 months ago and is on board once again. He added: ‘Wicklow Brave disappointed me a little bit in Cheltenham, but he actually ran a very similar race there last year before he came and won at Punchestown.’