BALLYMORE NOVICES’ HURDLE 1.30: GRADE ONE — 2 MILES 5 FURLONGS
SAMCRO is perceived as the banker of the week for many and it is difficult to knock his claims given he destroyed a Grade 1 field in the Deloitte hurdle in style at Leopardstown.
that was the third of three wide-margin hurdles victories this winter and he boasts a potent combination of speed and stamina allayed with a sound hurdling technique.
he will clearly be very difficult to beat, but there look some decent novices in opposition, not least NEXT DESTINATION, who has looked a very useful operator in his own right this winter.
In the face of Samcro’s brilliance, there is a chance Next Destination is in danger of being underestimated despite being unbeaten in all three hurdles, the last victory achieved in Grade 1 company. he too boasts a sharp turn of foot for a stayer, usually travels smoothly and jumps well and represents a stable who have won four of the last 10 renewals.
Black Op could prove the pick of the home contenders as he was unfortunate not to win on trials Day when flattening the last before being picked up late on by Santini. he boasts plenty of class and possesses the all-important course experience.