Elliott’s weather watch
Elliott targeting fourth Festival win with National hero
SAMCRO (above, right) takes on Faugheen in a fascinating clash for the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown tomorrow — ground permitting.
Samcro, last season’s star novice hurdler who suffered a shock return-to-action defeat at Down Royal, and 2015 Champion Hurdler Faugheen are among six declared for the Grade 1 prize.
But Samcro’s trainer Gordon Elliott warned: “We need rain. He just raced a little lethargic at Down Royal, but we are not giving up on him yet.”
GORDON ELLIOTT was purring after Grand National hero Tiger Roll made his return to action at Cheltenham yesterday.
The three-time Cheltenham Festival winner had his first start since lifting the big one at Aintree in April when carrying top weight in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase.
And Elliott was more than satisfied with the Keith Donoghueridden eight-year-old’s keeping-on fourth behind the Enda Bolgertrained Josies Orders.
“It was a lovely run,” said the Co Meath-based trainer. “Keith said he was a little bit rusty and had a couple of blows – I thought I had him a bit fitter, but it was his first time on the track since the National.
“Obviously, he’s getting a bit cuter at home, but I like the way he galloped from the third-last to the line.”
Tiger Roll, victorious in the 2014 Triumph Hurdle, JT McNamara National Hunt Chase in 2017 and the Glenfarclas Chase last March, will return to Cheltenham in December before seeking a fourth Festival win over the track’s banks and hedges in March.
“Coming here in December and March off level weights, the races will be made for him,” added Elliott (left). “March will be his Gold Cup. The chances of going back and winning another Grand National are very hard, but if he wins for a fourth time at the Festival, it will be a dream come true. People want to see these horses and it’s great to get him out.”
Paddy Brennan celebrated becoming a father for the third time – daughter Chloe was born last Friday – with a 496-1 treble Red Hot Chilly, Bun Doran aboard Coolanly. and
Punters sent Nicky Henderson’s Mr Whipped off the 15-8 favourite to make a winning debut over fences in the Steel Plate And Sections Novices’ Chase, but the spoils went to the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Count Meribel.