Melon to give Samcro his just deserts
GORDON ELLIOTT sends Samcro out once again over two miles at Leopardstown this afternoon as the six-year-old searches for his first win of the season in the Ryanair Hurdle.
Elliott insists the gelding gives him his best chance of Champion Hurdle success at Cheltenham in March, despite being thrashed eight lengths by dual Champion Hurdler Buveur D’Air in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.
And he faces another tough task today in the race sponsored by his owner Michael O’Leary with Champion Hurdle runner-up MELON (2.30) making his first appearance on the track since falling three out in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle in April.
Samcro fell at the same flight in that race, after which Supasundae took advantage to go on and win by three-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of Wicklow Brave. But Melon was travelling cosily that day and if he reproduces his Champion Hurdle form, when he battled gamely in failing only by a neck to beat Buveur D’Air, then he will take some stopping.
Elliott, left, should have better luck in the other Grade One event, the Neville Hotels Novice Chase.
DELTA WORK (1.55) has won both his races this term, and took the scalp of Le Richebourg at Fairyhouse earlier this month, when staying on well to win the Drinmore Novice Chase by half a length.
The runner-up went on to win the Racing Post Novice Chase in impressive style earlier this week.
Le Richebourg’s trainer Joseph O’Brien sends out Mortal, who won a beginners’ chase at the start of the month and can follow Elliott’s charge home.
LIMINI (1.20) will be a tough nut to crack in the EBF Mares Hurdle. She finished a distant third behind Apple’s Jade in a Grade One a month back but she should have too much in the locker for her rivals now she drops to Grade Three level.
At Limerick, CAP YORK (2.10) can spring a surprise in the Grade Two novice hurdle. Noel Meade’s six-year-old has had a number of setbacks since arriving from France, but ran on gamely a fortnight ago to win a maiden hurdle at Navan after two years away from the racecourse.
The trainer clearly thinks highly of the French import who beat Captain Cj by a length and three-quarters at Navan and he can hold off the threat of Dorrells Pierji.