O’LEARY STICKS TO SAM PLAN

SAMCRO remains on course for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle despite a significant market move for the rising star of jumps racing in the Sky Bet Supreme.

The possibility of soft ground for the start of the Cheltenham Festival next Tuesday has led many to believe the Gigginstown House Stud-owned six-year-old may be better served racing in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle over 2m rather than the Ballymore, which is run on Wednesday over 5f further.

But Gigginstown’s Eddie O’Leary said: “Switching Samcro from the Ballymore to the Supreme Novices’ is something we’re not even thinking about, unless the ground becomes brutally heavy.”

Samcro (right) is a bestpriced 4-5 with Betfair for the Ballymore and as low as 6-4 for the Supreme.