Horse Racing Weekend Review: Samcro back in favour

This weekend provided some memorable racing moments under each codes that offer clues to potential big winners via the peak of the National Hunt season, and wanting out slightly further forward, to 2020 on the Flat.

Super Samcro inks novice chase credentials

Samcro appeared as if he was going to be a superstar hurdler when justifying odds-on within the Grade 1 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle on the 2018 Cheltenham Festival, however he was beaten in all 4 subsequent starts over timber and at risk of being added to the listing of horses who promised so much however did not deliver.

At Down Royal on Friday, nevertheless, the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding made a sparkling debut over fences in a newbies’ chase over almost two-and-a-half miles, leaping like a buck. He seems a pure over the larger obstacles. 

Unsurprisingly, he is now rapidly again in fashion, and if he follows up within the Grade 1 Drinmore Novices’ Chase at Fairyhouse in a couple of weeks’ time, the Gigginston House Stud-owned star could once again be an Irish banker for Cheltenham in March. 

He’s the clear 6/1 ante-post favorite for the JLT Novices’ Chase with Paddy Power, and is out there at 16/1 for the extended three miles of the RSA Chase.

Derby looks realistic goal for exciting Kameko

Friday night saw a historic first British Group 1 on a man-made floor as the Tapeta at Newcastle. The Tyneside track was the venue for a really taking performance from Andrew Balding’s Kameko who romped away with the rescheduled Vertem Futurity Trophy (the former Racing Post Trophy) that had initially been scheduled for the turf at Doncaster six days earlier.

The 11/2 shot, given a fantastic ride by newly-crowned champion jockey Oisin Murphy, foiled the Aidan O’Brien-trained trio of Innisfree, Year Of The Tiger, and Mogul, and within the course of marked himself down as a stay Classic hope for subsequent term. The son of US sire Kitten’s Joy is into 10/1 second-favourite for the Investec Derby at Epsom in June, and is offered at 16/1 for the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket a month earlier.

Switching codes, and Saturday saw loads of clues on the jumps front with a variety of huge weapons again in motion.

Envoi delivers on hurdles bow

Back at Down Royal, Gordon Elliott was once more the man to comply with as his Envoi Allen, winner of the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival in March, maintained his unbeaten record with a very easy debut success over hurdles. 

Making all and jumping properly, he received with any quantity in and is now simply 3/1 to land the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle again at Prestbury Park in mid-March. He’s also obtainable at 14/1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle over the minimal trip of two miles.

Pleasing reappearance for Clan Des Obeaux

On the identical card, Paul Nicholls’ King George VI Chase winner Clan Des Obeaux needed to give finest on his seasonal return to final year’s race winner Road To Respect, within the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase. The Noel-Meade-trained eight-year-old, third to Frodon in last season’s Ryanair Chase, scored in fine type by four lengths.

Connections of the runner-up could have been pleased although as he invariably wants a run to blow away the cobwebs. He’s supplied at 5/1 to land the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock later this month, and is identical price to retain his Kempton crown on Boxing Day. 

The very good Nicky Henderson-trained Altior is 5/2 favorite for the ‘King George’ – but will he stay?

At Wetherby, Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Ballyoptic toughed it out to beat Elegant Escape in the Grade 2 Slot Online Charlie Hall Chase, and earned a quote of 12/1 for the Betfair Chase. He can additionally be out there at 33/1 for the Grand National at Aintree in April. Elegant Escape, winner of the Welsh National last time period, ran a rock solid race in defeat and is identical price to land the Merseyside marathon.

World’s End throws down Stayers’ Hurdle gauntlet

And within the Grade 2 Slot Online Hurdle, Tom George’s The World’s End, given a optimistic, front-running journey by Adrian Heskin, beat the grand veteran Unowhatimeanharry by 5 lengths. The winner was introduced into the Stayers’ Hurdle market at 16/1, but probably the most eye-catching performance in the race got here from third placed Two Taffs.

Running for the first time in two years, Dan Skelton’s gelding appeared as if the race would do him good, however he ran a blinder, holding every chance approaching the final and was solely crushed simply over five lengths at the line. Whether he remains over hurdles or goes back to chasing, he seems a horse to follow.

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See our for the upcoming motion this week.