SAMCRO TO RUN IN BALLYMORE

RISING star Samcro will race in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle rather than the Supreme at next month’s Cheltenham Festival, racing manager Eddie O’Leary claimed yesterday.

Stablemate Apple’s Jade will swerve the Stayers’ Hurdle to defend her OLBG Mares’ Hurdle crown.

Samcro (above), unbeaten in six races under rules, trounced a good field in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown over two miles earlier this month — the same distance as the Supreme — but trainer Gordon Elliott has always maintained his six-year-old is better over further.

And the Ballymore, of which Samcro is Betfair’s 8-11 favourite, is run over 2m5f.

O’Leary, manager to owners Gigginstown House Stud, said: “It has always been our intention to run Samcro in the Ballymore and nothing has changed. He won’t be running in the Supreme. Hopefully he will get there in one piece.

“Apple’s Jade will run in the mares’ hurdle.“