SAMCRO ON A MISSION

I’LL take a chance on unbeaten novice Samcro against Champion Hurdle runner-up Melon in a fascinating duel for the BETDAQ Punchestown Champion Hurdle.

It’s a bold call by Gordon Elliott and the Gigginstown House Stud to run the six-year-old against some of hurdling’s big-guns.

Samcro has oozed class in his four runs over hurdles and has impressed me as one of the best novices I’ve seen since the great Golden Cygnet. But his reputation will be on the line today.

Samcro steps into open company for the first time. And, on official ratings, he has a bit to find with the Willie Mullinstrained Melon, rated 7lb higher than the star novice, and Irish Champion Hurdle winner Supasundae, 1lb below Melon.

But Samcro’s potential is immense. And, on that basis, I suspect he can prove himself a real star today.

Press Conference might be worth the wait in tonight’s bumper.

Jessica Harrington’s Getaway gelding looked an exciting prospect when chasing home allthe-way winner Carefully Selected on his debut at Naas in February.

In what looks a competitive contest, Press Conference, the mount of Kate Harrington, gets the vote over Joseph O’brien’s Lone Wolf.

The earlier, Grade 1 Profile Systems Champion Novice Hurdle presents a puzzle, with five of the 12 declared runners having run already at this meeting.

Among the contingent is Getabird, reportedly struck when a beaten favourite in the Grade 1 two-mile novice on Tuesday.

Over this longer trip, he would make plenty of appeal, if allowed dictate things up front.

But he might not be a certain runner. And, for that reason, I’ll side with Gordon Elliott’s Pallasator, a convincing Grade 2 winner at Fairyhouse last time.

While Shady Operator should prove tough to beat in the Sales Sense International Novice Hurdle.

STEP UP IN CLASS Samcro puts his unbeaten record on the line today