Samcro still on target

Owner Michael O’Leary insists Samcro is on track for the Champion Hurdle despite his punishing defeat by Buveur D’Air in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at newcastle on Saturday.

The ryanair supremo was speaking yesterday after his mare Apple’s Jade, like Samcro trained by Gordon elliott, romped to her third win in the Grade One Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

But hopes that highly- touted Samcro, winner of the Ballymore novices’ Hurdle at last season’s Cheltenham Festival, could put down a Champion Hurdle marker at newcastle were almost nonchalantly dismissed by Buveur D’Air. O’Leary, speaking on Attheraces, said: ‘ we were reasonably happy with the run. He got well spanked by Buveur D’Air, but Buveur D’Air is a double champion.

‘I see no reason to change the plan to keep him hurdling this season.

‘Hopefully he’ll go to Leopardstown at Christmas for the ryanair Hurdle and hopefully back to Leopardstown in February for the Irish Champion Hurdle. Then we’ll take on Buveur D’Air again at Cheltenham — there’s no point in giving Buveur D’Air the Champion Hurdle trophy today.’